Los Angeles weighs a disaster registry. Disability advocates warn against false assurances.

In the wake of January's deadly wildfires, Los Angeles County leaders are weighing a disaster registry intended to help disabled and senior residents get connected to emergency responders to bring them to safety during disasters.

County supervisors approved a feasibility study this spring for such a voluntary database. Supporters applauded the effort to give more notice and assistance to the more than 1 million county residents with some type of disability, such as cognitive impairment or limited mobility.

"If we know that people perish in these situations, what are our answers?" said Hilary Norton, who runs FASTLinkDTLA, a nonprofit focused on mobility issues. "This is the time for people to really understand the magnitude for people in need when things like this happen."