Breaking Down Communication Barriers With Ease

Presenter: Donna PlattEmergency Education Program Manager Hearing, Speech and Deafness Center Seattle, WA

Washington State Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference

Tacoma, WAApril 15, 2009

Nature and manmade disasters are on the increase nationwide. Thus they affect many people in different roles; residents and emergency responders especially in the area of communication.

Communication is so important for people when it comes to nature or manmade disaster especially preparedness, response and recovery.

People who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing are often the last people to have access to auditory communication; they rely on visual communication system. Communication system applies to notification, TV, radio, group setting, and one to one.

In this session, participants will develop tools in communication techniques and problem solving especially with individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, late deafened and hard of hearing.

Exercise

Share your experiences with this exercise

Case Studies

A Deaf person was brought to mass health care and there was no sign language interpreter available. You need to know if this person has any allergy. How will you ask this person?

A blind person showed up at the shelter. You found out that this person is also deaf. How would you communicate with this person?

Numbers of shelters were provided in several locations in the same region area. Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing people are scattered into shelters based on their residency. All need communication accommodations. How can their needs be met?

A group of Deaf mental health professionals, who were certified as Disaster Mental Health Services volunteers, were informed that there was not a need because some mental health volunteers knew some sign language. What is the difference between Deaf mental health professionals and mental health volunteers in terms of communication?

Communication Issues

Areas that impact the deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing community in all types of emergencies are:

- disaster planning

- disaster preparation

- notification

- evacuation

- sheltering & interim services

- recovery

Planning

It is important to plan ahead in terms of communication in 3 areas;

1) preparedness (example: workshop, presentation, meeting and/or conference),

2) response, and

3) recovery.

Last Words …..

These communication barriers can be minimized if emergency planners, responders and recovery/shelter providers have appropriate preparation.

Partnering with agencies serving deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing residents on providing effective communication access is strongly encouraged.

Contact Information

Donna Platt

Manager

Emergency Education Program

206-388-1275 TTY

Direct numbers via VRS

1-866-757-7487

206-452-7967

Email: dplatt@hsdc.org