In this powerful episode of The Blind Chick, John Romano from Disaster Central joins Penn and Moses to explore emergency preparedness through a lens of accessibility, technology, and community resilience. John shares the heart behind the Be Ready app and how it helps people with disabilities plan ahead for disasters — not only with gear and gadgets but with mindset and connection. The episode features raw stories of past emergencies, including how one blind man refused to leave his guide dog behind during a flood.

Listeners are encouraged to participate in upcoming pilot programs and advocate for inclusive planning in their own cities. The message is clear: preparedness isn’t just about surviving a storm, it’s about building strong community ties before the storm ever hits.

⏱️ Chapter Markers

00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick

00:27 – Jonathan introduces John Romano & previews Code Orange

01:30 – The mindset of preparedness and the role of battery banks

02:30 – Customizing the Be Ready app for your household

04:50 – Real stories: flood evacuations, guide dogs, and being left behind

07:00 – Planning on the community level: Colorado Functional Needs Conferences

09:25 – 70% of first responders are your family and friends

11:40 – How to bring this program to your city

13:55 – Funding models & donor support for Be Ready

15:55 – Future features: AI & GIS integration

18:15 – Predictive tech and where emergency preparedness is heading

20:35 – The real call to action: Get involved!

22:55 – The power of preparation and community kindness

25:15 – Let's not admire the problem — let’s solve it

27:40 – Closing thoughts and thanks

📞 Contact Info & Resources

Disaster Central: https://disastercentral.org

Be Ready App: Included in pilot discussions via Disaster Central

Interested in the pilot program?

Contact Curtis Garrett or Atlantis Community to request local training and preparedness offerings.

🗣️ Key Quotes

“70% of your first responders are your family and friends.”

— John Romano

“Let’s not just admire the problem. Let’s work the problem.”

— John Romano

“This isn’t about doing it for us — it’s with us.”

— Penn Street

📲 Other Shows by Aftersight

Blindsight – Mental health and blindness

Blind Level Tech – Accessible tech reviews and interviews

Navigating Life with Vision Loss – Weekly show coming back this fall with a 16-week safety series

Code Orange – Coming soon! Focused on disability-inclusive emergency preparedness