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Deaf People and
DisastersHave things changed over time?
By: Anne Hainisch
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What would you do?
• Imagine for a minute that you are deaf. A disaster has happened and all your co-workers are worried about themselves; which is a natural reaction. You have no idea the building is on fire until you begin to smell the smoke. Did you smell it in enough time?
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September 11th, 2001
• Let’s go back in time.
• Were there deaf people in the Twin Towers that day?
• Let’s watch a video clip to find out.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpSh9IPzUu0
• As one can see, the perspective of the deaf and hard of hearing is that they were forgotten that fateful day.
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Did things get better?
• The year is 2005. Hurricane Katrina is currently barreling toward the United States. Have things changed since 2001? Will the deaf and hard of hearing escape in enough time?
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Hurricane Katrina
• Christina Pullen is a deaf individual with a story.
• She states she only knew to leave because her parents told her they needed to leave.
• Miss Pullen typically relies on text messaging and electronic communication for her news and emergency alerts.
• Katrina’s 160 mph winds knocked out cell phone reception and other communication systems.
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• Little attention was given to the deaf and hearing impaired during this time.
• One must realize these individuals rely heavily on electronic communication and text alerts.
• Other means of communication must be made available if one option proves ineffective or unworkable.
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Are things better now?
• The year is now 2012 and yet another hurricane is barreling towards the United States. Will the deaf and hard of hearing have the communication access they need this time?
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Hurricane Sandy
• It seems over time, things have gotten better.
• The National Association of the Deaf, State Associates, and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Government applaud government entities.
• They provided qualified, expert ASL interpreters and captioning of emergency announcements in the course of preparing for Hurricane Sandy.
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• The New York City Mayor, Maryland Governor, and Massachusetts Governor all held press conferences with high qualified sign language interpreters.
• Communication barriers often experienced by the deaf and hard of hearing were removed during this time.
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Problems caused by disaster
• Heavy rain, flooding, and perspiration can destroy hearing aids and cochlear implant processors or make them inoperable.
• Loss of power and telecommunications services make it difficult or impossible to reach the professionals who provide visual information through interpreting or transliteration.
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How the deaf/hard of hearing can be
prepared• Have a network in place of family and
friends who can check on you if a disaster is about to strike.
• Make sure you have access to a pad of paper with pens or pencils for writing notes.
• Pack extra batteries for tape recorders, portable TTYs, etc.
• Know where the nearest shelter is located.
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How would you help a deaf person?
• Make Physical Improvements
• Make Environmental Improvements
• Make Verbal Improvements
• Make Nonverbal Improvements
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Physical Improvements
• Make sure all your face can be seen.
• Carry a small pad and pen in order to communicate.
• NEVER bend down to talk because it may irritate the deaf/hard of hearing person.
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Environmental Improvements
• Make sure your position is good relative to the light source.
• Good and properly positioned lighting helps with seeing speech and signs.
• Monitor the noise level as noise can interfere with understanding.
• In a group situation, make sure only one person talks at a time.
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Verbal Improvements
• Speak slightly slower.
• For a hard of hearing person, speak louder but do not shout.
• Do not exaggerate your speech.
• Use any sign language you know even if it is only the sign language alphabet.
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Nonverbal Improvement
• Use facial expression and gestures.
• Touch the deaf/hard of hearing person to get their attention if they are close enough to you.
• Otherwise, stomp your foot on the floor or use a flashlight to get their attention.
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Conclusion
• Communication access for the deaf and hard of hearing has improved over time.
• The deaf and hard of hearing need to make sure they are prepared before a disaster strikes.
• The hearing community needs to be prepared to assist those that are deaf/hard of hearing if necessary.
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• So, to answer the question, the deaf and disasters, have things changed over time?
• The answer is, yes, things have changed over time.
• Those that are deaf today say communication access is much better for them than it was in the past.
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References
• http://deafness.about.com/od/hearingbasic1/a/communicate.htm
• www.fema.gov/txt/library/pfd_all.txt
• http://www.nad.org/news/2012/11/nad-state-assocs-dhhig-commend-nyc-maryland-and-massachusetts-hurricane-sandy-communica
• http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2005/oct/05/20051005-095340-4787r/?page=all
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpSh9IPzUu0