Earthquakes (also known as tremors or earthquakes) are very common in Mexico, so it is necessary to know how to interact with people with disabilities when these natural phenomena occur, or when conducting prevention drills.
The Servicio Sismológico Nacional (SSN) defines an earthquake as follows as "a sudden breakup of rocks in the Earth's interior. This sudden release of energy propagates in the form of waves that cause ground movement".
Mexico is a territory of high seismicity. SSN data indicate that 33,418 earthquakes were recorded in 2024. As of September 12, 2025, 25,967 earthquakes have occurred this yearIt is therefore important to be alert for any emergency.
The National Council for the Prevention of Discrimination (Conapred) prepared a guide with some recommendations on how to interact with people with disabilities in an earthquake and divides its document into three parts: prevention, what to do during an earthquake and what to do afterwards.
What to do before the earthquake or drill?
- Develop a civil protection plan that considers all types of disabilities.and subsequently familiarizing people with disabilities with warning systems and the evacuation procedures of the building;
- identify the areas where people with disabilities may be more commonly found;
- to clear the spaces in which they would have to circulate people if evacuation is necessary. As examples we mention keeping ramps unobstructed for wheelchair users, and that there are no dangerous objects that a blind person might trip over at the time of the drill or earthquake;
- have warning devices installed for people with different types of disabilitiesfor example, audible and visual alarms (with flashing lights);
- Clearly mark evacuation routes and make them inclusive for various types of disabilities.. As a further recommendation, it is also advisable, if the person with a disability agrees, that she carries a whistle that allows her to call the attention of others in the event of an emergency.
Conapred stresses that prevention and practice are vital prior to an earthquake.. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly carry out drills so that everyone knows how to act.
What to do during the earthquake or drill?
Conapred points out that one of the most important rules when interacting with a person with a disability in an earthquake drill or earthquake is to "be willing to provide support and contribute to their safety, without interfering with their autonomy, dignity or integrity.". It is convenient to ask the person what his or her needs are in terms of vision, mobility, hearing, or understanding of messages.
There are some actions that can save lives The number of people with disabilities at the time of an earthquake will depend on each one of the disabilities:
- Communicating with deaf people or who have difficulty perceiving the sound of the seismic alert that an earthquake is about to occurthis can be done with Mexican Sign Language (MSL) or, if you are not familiar with this form of communication, it could be in written form;
- support the visually impaired person by offering your arm or placing your hand on his or her shoulderThe company is a member of the security team, so that she can walk at her own pace to the security zone;
- assisting the wheelchair user into the safety zone and, once there, activate the locks or brakes to prevent the chair from rolling away to risk areas;
- enable a person using a cane or a walker to lean against a wall or a firm surface in a safe area, so that it does not fall;
- patience and emotional support are key at such a time. It is important to let the person know that they will be safe once they are in a safe zone.
What to do after the earthquake or drill?
- The first thing to do is check the physical and emotional integrity of the people with disabilities when the tremor is over;
- before returning to the building (if they have managed to leave the property), it is necessary that civil protection elements to check for water or gas leaks, cracks in the wall and fallen objects. that could endanger someone;
- if people stayed at a meeting point inside the building, it is advisable that they evacuate the building so that it can be monitored to determine if the site has been affected.;
- in the event that persons with disabilities have assistance animalsit is also necessary to to check their condition in case they need veterinary assistance;
- it is suggested to support people with disabilities in contacting their family membersor whoever they indicate, to know their condition after the earthquake.
