---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 321b"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "321b"
heading: "Disability Coordinator"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/321b"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — Homeland Security Organization"
  - "Subchapter V — National Emergency Management"
---

# §321b. Disability Coordinator

- (a) **In general—** After consultation with organizations representing individuals with disabilities, the National [Council](/usc/6/681.md?p=2) on Disabilities, and the Interagency Coordinating [Council](/usc/6/681.md?p=2) on Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities, established under Executive Order No. 13347, the [Administrator](/usc/6/311.md?p=1) shall appoint a Disability Coordinator. The Disability Coordinator shall report directly to the [Administrator](/usc/6/311.md?p=1), in order to ensure that the needs of individuals with disabilities are being properly addressed in [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) preparedness and disaster relief.
- (b) **Responsibilities—** The Disability Coordinator shall be responsible for—
  - (1) providing guidance and coordination on matters related to individuals with disabilities in [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) planning requirements and relief efforts in the event of a natural disaster, [act of terrorism](/usc/6/444.md?p=2-A), or other man-made disaster;
  - (2) interacting with the staff of the [Agency](/usc/6/311.md?p=2), the National [Council](/usc/6/681.md?p=2) on Disabilities, the Interagency Coordinating [Council](/usc/6/681.md?p=2) on Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities established under Executive Order No. 13347, other [agencies](/usc/6/311.md?p=2) of the Federal Government, and [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17), local, and [tribal government](/usc/6/311.md?p=13) authorities regarding the needs of individuals with disabilities in [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) planning requirements and relief efforts in the event of a natural disaster, [act of terrorism](/usc/6/444.md?p=2-A), or other man-made disaster;
  - (3) consulting with organizations that represent the interests and rights of individuals with disabilities about the needs of individuals with disabilities in [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) planning requirements and relief efforts in the event of a natural disaster, [act of terrorism](/usc/6/444.md?p=2-A), or other man-made disaster;
  - (4) ensuring the coordination and dissemination of best practices and model evacuation plans for individuals with disabilities;
  - (5) ensuring the development of training materials and a curriculum for training of [emergency response providers](/usc/6/101.md?p=6), [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17), local, and [tribal government](/usc/6/311.md?p=13) officials, and others on the needs of individuals with disabilities;
  - (6) promoting the accessibility of telephone hotlines and websites regarding [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) preparedness, evacuations, and disaster relief;
  - (7) working to ensure that video programming distributors, including broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite television services, make [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) information accessible to individuals with hearing and vision disabilities;
  - (8) ensuring the availability of accessible transportation options for individuals with disabilities in the event of an evacuation;
  - (9) providing guidance and implementing policies to ensure that the rights and wishes of individuals with disabilities regarding post-evacuation residency and relocation are respected;
  - (10) ensuring that meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities are included in the components of the national preparedness system established under [section 744 of this title](/usc/6/744.md); and
  - (11) any other duties as assigned by the [Administrator](/usc/6/311.md?p=1).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 107–296, title V, § 513, as added Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 611(13), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1408.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Executive Order No. 13347, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b)(2), is set out as a note under section 314 of this title.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

Any reference to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in title VI of Pub. L. 109–295 or an amendment by title VI to be considered to refer and apply to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency until Mar. 31, 2007, see section 612(f)(2) of Pub. L. 109–295, set out as a note under section 313 of this title.