Responding to the deaf in disasters: establishing the need for systematic training for state-level emergency management agencies and community organizations

Abstract

BackgroundDeaf and hard-of-hearing (Deaf/HH) individuals have been underserved before and during emergencies. This paper will assess Deaf/HH related emergency preparedness training needs for state emergency management agencies and deaf-serving community-based organizations (CBOs).MethodsFour approaches were used: 1) a literature review; 2) results from 50 key informant (KI) interviews from state and territorial-level emergency management and public health agencies; 3) results from 14 KI interviews with deaf-serving CBOs in the San Francisco Bay Area; and 4) a pilot program evaluation of an emergency responder training serving the Deaf/HH in one urban community.ResultsResults from literature review and state and territorial level KIs indicate that there is a substantive gap in emergency preparedness training on serving Deaf/HH provided by state agencies. In addition, local KI interviews with 14 deaf-serving CBOs found gaps in training within deaf-serving CBOs. These gaps have implications for preparing for and responding to all-hazards emergencies including weather-related or earthquake-related natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and nuclear-chemical disasters.ConclusionEmergency preparedness trainings specific to responding to or promoting preparedness of the Deaf/HH is rare, even for state agency personnel, and frequently lack standardization, evaluation, or institutionalization in emergency management infrastructure. This has significant policy and research implications. Similarly, CBOs are not adequately trained to serve the needs of their constituents.

Principais dificuldades e obstáculos enfrentados pela comunidade surda no acesso à saúde: uma revisão integrativa de literatura

“…The professionals of this segment require communicative ability to deal with deaf and low hearing impaired people 27 . The obstacles encountered in the care of the deaf community, for the most part, are at the heart of the communication barrier.…”

Preparedness Training Programs for Working With Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities and Older Adults: Lessons Learned From Key Informants and Literature Assessments

“…Articles pertaining to responders serving older adults were retrieved from PubMed, and the other databases were used primarily to retrieve articles related to individuals who were Deaf or hard of hearing. Google was used primarily to identify training programs with search terms previously used by Engelman et al 8 for the survey. Those who consented to participate answered survey questions during a 45-to 60-minute phone interview or by completing a survey that was sent to them via email.…”

Preventing Abuse and Providing Access to Justice for Individuals with Complex Communication Needs: The Role of Augmentative and Alternative Communication

“…The results from Study 6 33 showed that only a few primary research studies report on and evaluate disability sensitivity training programs for police officers. The program content and outcomes of the three included studies focused on three types of disability, namely intellectual disability 38 , learning disability 39 and hearing disability 40 . All three of these studies reported statistically significant changes in attitudes post-training in comparison to control groups.…”