ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13347Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R

Executive Order 13347

Individuals With Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness

This executive order establishes a federal policy requiring agencies to consider the unique needs of individuals with disabilities in emergency preparedness planning for disasters and terrorism. It creates an Interagency Coordinating Council within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate implementation, review agency actions, and submit annual reports to the President on progress and best practices.

Federal Register Open PDF 69 FR 44573

Impact dates

  1. Subsequent annual reports to President (ongoing each year)

  2. First annual report to President due (achievements, best practices, recommendations)

Key directives

  • Agencies must consider unique needs of employees with disabilities and individuals with disabilities they serve in emergency preparedness planning
  • Agencies must encourage state/local/tribal governments and private organizations to consider disability needs through technical assistance
  • Agencies must facilitate cooperation among all levels of government and private entities on disability-inclusive emergency preparedness
  • Council shall coordinate agency implementation of Section 1 policy
  • Council must obtain outside advice only in manner seeking individual advice, not collective judgment or consensus
  • Council must promptly review and provide advice on agency proposed actions upon member request (unless Secretary declines)
  • Council shall submit annual report to President beginning one year after order date, through Assistant to the President for Homeland Security
  • DHS shall provide funding and administrative support for Council
  • Agencies shall assist and provide information to Council

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Council established within DHS for administrative purposes
  • Secretary of Homeland Security designated as chair with authority to convene, set agenda, direct work, and establish subgroups

Near term (90d)

  • First annual report due to President (due July 22, 2005, one year after signing)

Long term

  • Ongoing annual reporting requirement each year thereafter
  • Sustained interagency coordination on disability-inclusive emergency preparedness
  • Accumulation of best practices and recommendations for policy advancement

Risks & tensions

  • No enforcement mechanism or consequences for non-compliance specified
  • Council membership is broad (all executive department heads plus others) which may complicate coordination and accountability
  • Annual reporting requirement is clear but lacks specificity on what constitutes adequate 'consideration' of disability needs
  • Exclusion of collective judgment for outside advice (Sec. 3(a)(ii)) may limit effectiveness of stakeholder input
  • Explicit disclaimer that order creates no enforceable rights (Sec. 4(c)) weakens individual recourse
  • Vague on metrics or standards for evaluating success of disability-inclusive preparedness
Executive Order 13347: Individuals With Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness · Executive Orders