1. Deaf People and
Disasters
Have things changed over time?
By: Anne Hainisch
2. 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?
3. 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.
4. 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?
5. 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.
6. • 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.
7. 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?
8. 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.
9. • 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. How would you help a
deaf person?
• Make Physical Improvements
• Make Environmental Improvements
• Make Verbal Improvements
• Make Nonverbal Improvements
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. • 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.