INTRODUCTION
Pathways to Preparedness empowers seniors and people with disabilities to take charge of their safety by learning how to plan for emergencies before they happen. This essential training promotes independence, confidence, and inclusion by ensuring participants understand how to prepare for various disaster situations—whether evacuating or sheltering in place. Through guidance from instructors with lived experience and access needs, individuals gain practical knowledge about connecting with local emergency management resources, building personalized Go-Bags, and developing tailored action plans. By strengthening self-advocacy and awareness, Pathways to Preparedness helps create communities across Mercer and Hunterdon County, NJ that are better equipped to protect all residents, including those with disabilities and functional needs.
Current Offerings
INCLUSIVE HEALTH COMMUNITIES GRANT:
Through funding from the Inclusive Healthy Communities (IHC) Grant, the Progressive Center for Independent Living (PCIL) is expanding access to emergency preparedness education for people with disabilities and seniors across Mercer and Hunterdon Counties, NJ. As part of this initiative, our Pathways to Preparedness program provides freecommunity workshops designed to help residents with access and functional needs plan ahead for natural disasters and other emergencies.
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Participants learn practical strategies to:
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Build a personalized Go-Bag tailored to their unique medical, mobility, or communication needs
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Develop an individualized disaster action plan
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Connect with their local Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
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Understand how to prepare whether they are evacuating or sheltering in place
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This project also supports community-wide accessibility improvements by partnering with local municipalities to assess shelter readiness and provide policy recommendations for inclusive emergency response.
Workshops can be scheduled for individuals, families, or community groups, either on-site at PCIL’s Mercer or Hunterdon offices, or hosted directly at your organization’s location.
Why You
Need This Training
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For seniors and people with disabilities, having an emergency preparedness plan is essential. Here’s why this training matters:
1 / Emergencies Don't Wait
Disasters can strike at any time—power outages, floods, severe storms, or evacuations. For people with disabilities and seniors, extra planning is essential to ensure access to medication, mobility equipment, and reliable communication. Pathways to Preparedness helps you build confidence by learning how to respond quickly and safely in any situation.
2 / Plans That Fit Your Needs
Generic emergency plans don’t always address personal challenges like mobility limitations, sensory sensitivities, or medical equipment use. This workshop helps you create a customized Go-Bag and disaster plan that fits your lifestyle, abilities, and support network—because true preparedness starts with a plan that works for you.
3 / Connect With Local Resources
Participants learn how to link directly with their town’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and community response teams (CERT). Knowing who to contact—and how to share your access and functional needs—ensures that help and information reach you faster when emergencies happen in Mercer or Hunterdon County.
4 / Build Confidence and Independence
Emergency preparedness isn’t just about safety—it’s about empowerment. By completing this free, 90-minute training, individuals gain practical skills, a sense of control, and the peace of mind that comes with being ready. You’ll leave prepared, informed, and equipped to protect yourself and your loved ones.
INQUIRE TODAY
With a strong commitment to inclusion and a team led by individuals with disabilities who bring firsthand experience, the Progressive Center for Independent Living stands out as the trusted resource for emergency preparedness training in Mercer and Hunterdon Counties, NJ. Our Pathways to Preparedness program offers personalized instruction designed to meet the diverse needs of seniors, people with disabilities, and their families. By choosing PCIL, participants gain not only practical tools for safety and independence but also insights from experts who understand the challenges of navigating emergencies with access or functional needs. Empower yourself or your organization with PCIL’s inclusive, community-based approach—where knowledge, accessibility, and preparedness come together to build safer, more resilient communities across New Jersey.