Safety is all about being aware and prepared for what you would do if something unexpected happened, a safety consultant told a group of disabled people and community leaders in Auckland on Saturday.

Disabled people, elderly people – even children – are needlessly vulnerable and could suffer unnecessarily in a disaster because they are not ready to act in an emergency. Civil Defence may not be ready to support them, says Diversityworks Trust, which will host a workshop to help people plan to survive in the event of a disaster.