Episodes

Wednesday Nov 13, 2019
Access and Functional Needs Concerns Met During Recent California Emergencies
Wednesday Nov 13, 2019
Wednesday Nov 13, 2019
In this episode of All Hazards (#69) we talk with Vance Taylor; he’s the chief of the Office of Access and Functional Needs at Cal OES. Topics of conversation include the importance of partnerships, issues and concerns related to AFN that come up during nearly every emergency in California, and how Taylor and his team tackle those problems before, during and after the emergency strikes.
Vance is responsible for ensuring the needs of individuals with disabilities and persons with access and functional needs are identified before, during and after a disaster. Vance is a nationally recognized public speaker and advocate for individuals with disabilities. He has a Master's degree in homeland security from the University of Connecticut and an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University in communications.
Links
Our previous episode with Vance Taylor
Area Agency On Aging
California Foundation For Independent Living Centers
State Council Developmental Disabilities
American Red Cross
Partnership For Inclusive Disaster Strategies

Monday Jan 16, 2017
Taylor-Made to Advocate for People with Access & Functional Needs
Monday Jan 16, 2017
Monday Jan 16, 2017
In this, the 23rd, episode we sit down with Luis “Vance” Taylor, who is the Chief of the Office of Access and Functional Needs at the Governor's Office of Emergency Services. He is a person who has not let Muscular Dystrophy or his limited mobility slow him down in his personal or professional worlds. You will find out how his determination, experience and mom’s words of wisdom has helped him excel in the world of emergency management.
As chief of the OAFN Vance is responsible for ensuring the needs of individuals with disabilities and persons with access and functional needs are identified before, during and after a disaster and then integrated within the state’s emergency management systems.
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Vance was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy as a child and uses a power chair. He has worked in Washington, D.C. as an advisor for two different members of Congress, directed security policy at a national association and been a principal at a top-ranked homeland security and emergency management consulting firm, Catalyst Partners, LLC. Vance is a nationally recognized public speaker and advocate for individuals with disabilities.
Vance has a Master's degree in homeland security from the University of Connecticut and an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University in communications. He is married to his sweetheart, Casey, and they have two beautiful daughters, Isabelle and Sammy.
Vance and his family live in Rancho Cordova, CA.
Links