Jacquie Kelley, M.A.

Emergency Preparedness Specialist
Disability, Access & Functional Needs Advocate

Woman in a wheelchair with long brown hair wearing sunglasses, a burgundy dress, and a necklace, sitting outdoors on a stone path in front of the White House with her service dog in a harness and vest, both facing left.

About Me

I am an Emergency Preparedness Specialist with the Vermont Department of Health, where I lead work that strengthens community readiness and ensures that disability, access, and functional needs (DAFN) are meaningfully integrated into emergency planning, training, and response. My work spans emergency operations planning, inclusive training and exercises, Medical Reserve Corps coordination, and systems-level improvements that support people before, during, and after emergencies.

I specialize in turning complex emergency management concepts into practical, accessible tools that empower agencies, volunteers, staff, and community partners to respond with confidence and equity.

A young woman with long brown hair, smiling, sitting at a table with a green outdoor background. She has a cloth headband around her head with a small bunny ear on top. She is wearing a gray sweatshirt with a colorful heart and text. On the table, there's a brochure for the Northwest Vermont Medical Reserve Corps, a blue plastic container filled with papers, a set of keys, and a red item.

Why I Do This Work

My path into emergency management is rooted in lived experience. As a college student, I was unable to evacuate a building during a severe storm because campus security declined to assist me. That moment was frightening, isolating, and avoidable. It revealed the gaps that disabled people face in emergency response. I realized firsthand how disasters disproportionately impact disabled individuals, not because of their disabilities, but because planning is not inclusive.

That experience changed the course of my life.

I became determined to understand how emergencies affect people with disabilities and how systems can be redesigned to prevent harm, increase autonomy, and support the whole community. Today, my work is fueled by a commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind, overlooked, or placed at risk due to inaccessible planning or outdated assumptions.

My Expertise

  • Emergency plan and procedure development

  • Training and HSEEP exercises

  • Disability, Access & Functional Needs (DAFN) integration

  • CMIST and equity-centered preparedness

  • Document accessibility and accessible communication

  • Medical Reserve Corps leadership and volunteer coordination

  • Partner coordination across public health, emergency management, and healthcare systems

Across these areas, I work to blend technical rigor with human-centered practice.

A round wooden table displaying various items including a white dry erase board with the handwritten words "Vermont ♥ s DAFN," a blue patterned cloth, a box of caregiver communication cards, a bottle of earplugs, a box of a personal sound amplifier, a box of white noise machine, two pairs of green sunglasses, a pair of blue sunglasses, a pair of black headphones, a multicolored fidget toy, colorful 'Sensory Worry Stones,' a pink stapler, a small orange and black flashlight, and some colorful rainbow-shaped and flower-shaped sensory toys.

Leadership & Recognition

My work extends across Vermont and national emergency management networks.

Current Committees & Workgroups

  • Co-Founder & Co-Chair, Vermont Department of Health Access & Functional Needs Workgroup

  • Vice Chair, National Association of County and City Health Officials Health & Disability Workgroup

  • Vice Chair & Advocacy, Outreach and Education Committee Chair, State Rehabilitation Council

  • Member of multiple emergency planning, safety, mobility, and accessibility committees

  • Coordinator of the Northwest Vermont Medical Reserve Corps (220+ volunteers)

Awards

  • State of Vermont Public Service Recognition Award (2025)

  • Outstanding Performer Award (2025)

  • Deborah Lisi-Baker Youth Leadership Award (2018)

These recognitions reflect a dedication to strengthening systems, elevating accessibility, and making measurable improvements in emergency preparedness.

A young woman with dark wavy hair wearing sunglasses, holding a certificate of appreciation outdoors in front of a large stately building with steps, benches, and a grassy lawn.
A young woman in a wheelchair outdoors on a grassy area, holding a clear glass award with the word 'Vermont' on it, smiling at the camera. She has long brown hair, wears a pink top, a blue cardigan, and a pink bow in her hair. There are trees and a building in the background.

My Values

My work is grounded in:

  • Collaboration

  • Community

  • Equity

  • Impact

  • Leadership

  • Learning

Inclusive preparedness empowers people, respects autonomy, and builds resilience across communities.

Outside of Work

When I’m not developing plans or facilitating exercises, you can find me reading, spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors, or training my service dog. These moments help me stay grounded, connected, and inspired.

Motto: Make a Difference.