Communication with People with Disabilities in Disasters The Session is Scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm ET We will be testing sound quality periodically Telephone Option: 712 432 3100 Access Code: 930098 (not a toll free #) The content and materials of this session are the property of the ADA National Network and the presenters and cannot be used and/or distributed without permission. For permission to use training content or obtain copies of materials used as part of this program please contact info@adaconferences.org Listening to the Webinar The audio for today s webinar is being broadcast through your computer. Please make sure your speakers are turned on or your headphones are plugged in. You can control the audio broadcast via the Audio & Video panel. You can adjust the sound by sliding the sound bar left or right. If you are having sound quality problems check your audio controls by going through the Audio Wizard which is accessed by selecting the microphone icon on the Audio & Video panel 2 November 12, 2013 1
Listening to the Webinar, continued If you do not have sound capabilities on your computer or prefer to listen by phone, dial: 1 712 432 3100 Pass Code: 930098 This is not a Toll Free number 3 3 Listening to the Webinar, continued MOBILE Devices supported include iphone, ipad, Android Devices, Kindle Fire HD)** Individuals can download the free Blackboard Collaborate App from the Apple Store, Google Play or Amazon **Closed Captioning is not visible via the Mobile App 4 November 12, 2013 2
Captioning Real time captioning is provided during this webinar. The caption screen can be accessed by choosing the icon in the Audio & Video panel. Once selected you will have the option to resize the captioning window, change the font size and save the transcript. 5 Submitting Questions You may type and submit questions in the Chat Area Text Box or press Control M and enter text in the Chat Area If you are connected via a mobile device you may submit questions in the chat area within the App If you are listening by phone and not logged in to the webinar, you may ask questions by emailing them to info@adaconferences.org Please note: This webinar is being recorded and can be accessed on the www.adaconferences.org/emergency website at www..adaconferences.org/emergency/archives within 24 hours after the conclusion of the session. 6 November 12, 2013 3
Customize Your View Resize the Whiteboard where the Presentation slides are shown to make it smaller or larger by choosing from the drop down menu located above and to the left of the whiteboard. The default is fit page 7 Customize Your View continued Resize/Reposition the Chat, Participant and Audio & Video panels by detaching and using your mouse to reposition or stretch/shrink. Each panel may be detached using the icon in the upper right corner of each panel. 8 November 12, 2013 4
Technical Assistance If you experience any technical difficulties during the webinar: 1. Send a private chat message to the host by double clicking Great Lakes ADA in the participant list. A tab titled Great Lakes ADA will appear in the chat panel. Type your comment in the text box and enter (Keyboard F6, Arrow up or down to locate Great Lakes ADA and select to send a message ); or 2. Email info@adaconferences.org; or 3. Call 877 232 1990 (V/TTY) 9 Franklin Barnes Emergency Manager, Oklahoma City Jay Doudna Oklahoma DRS; Oklahoma Library for the Blind Stephanie Nichols - Sign Language Resource Services Jan Hatch Program Manager, Oklahoma DRS 10 November 12, 2013 5
Public Information and Warning 11 Public Information and Warning is a core capability needed for all five mission areas: Prevention Protection Mitigation Response Recovery 12 November 12, 2013 6
The capability to deliver coordinated, prompt, reliable, and actionable information to the whole community through the use of clear, consistent, accessible, and culturally and linguistically appropriate methods to effectively relay information regarding any threat or hazard, as well as the actions being taken and the assistance being made available, as appropriate. 13 14 November 12, 2013 7
Three types: Warnings Emergency Public Information Public Information 15 A warning is issued when a threat or hazardous event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurring. A warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property. Two key components of a warning: What is the hazard or threat What action to take to protect yourself 16 November 12, 2013 8
National Weather Service Hazardous weather and hydrological events Incident Commander Fire Department Law Enforcement Emergency Management Operators 17 Use multiple methods to communicate warnings and evacuations. Consider using text based messages, they are accessible communications Read by people who are deaf Text to speech for people who are blind 18 November 12, 2013 9
All-hazards weather radio Visual display with text messages Also has an audible warning and message Twitter Alerts If you have a Twitter account you can also receive critical updates directly to your phone from FEMA and other emergency organizations with. Twitter Alerts are the fastest way to get essential information when you need it most. 19 Goal To protect public health and safety Timely ey Accurate Clear Precise 20 November 12, 2013 10
Examples: Actions to take to protect oneself and family Evacuate Shelter-in-Place Evacuation routes Boil water orders Evacuation Center locations Mass Care Shelter locations 21 Not emergent information, usually related to recovery operations Examples: Points of Distribution (POD) sites Separation of debris Donations Volunteers Feeding sites Where to go for disaster assistance 22 November 12, 2013 11
Consider partnering with organizations and agencies who serve people p with disabilities. Assist you with distributing public information to their clients and members They usually have up to date contact information They have existing relationships and trust with the people you need to communicate with They can communicate in an appropriate accessible method and format. 23 People who are Blind or Visually Impaired 24 November 12, 2013 12
Neither deaths nor injuries amongst persons who are blind or visually impaired. Appears National Weather Service, emergency management and the community has done a god job getting the word out Six Visual Services clients were displaced from their homes and assisted by the Department of Rehabilitation i Services 25 How do People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired Learn of an Emergency? Radio TV Internet By phone from a friend Neighbor Tornado Siren Weather Radio Smart phone accessible Apps 26 November 12, 2013 13
What do you do if a Person who is Blind or Visually Impaired arrives at a Shelter with no assistance? First ask: How may I assist you? This applies to anyone who appears to have a visual disability even if they have a guide dog. Assistance should be provided to complete any necessary paperwork 27 Make all informational material in accessible format including: Braille Large Print Audio recording Staff read it to them in a private place 28 November 12, 2013 14
Familiarize the person with their surroundings Designate a Guide Dog relief area Accessible communications sighted guide technique Familiarize with surroundings Taking them anywhere in the shelter Food service Bathrooms Medical services 29 Determine their degree of sight and hearing loss to determine their method of communication. If they are deaf-blind they will likely have a method to communicate. May have a card with them that tells you their method of accessible communication. If someone shows up who is deaf-blind without a caregiver someone will need to stay with them. 30 November 12, 2013 15
How do first responders identify the blind and visually impaired persons in their community? Contact state agencies or local private agencies serving people who are blind or visually impaired. 31 How do you disseminate public information to people p who are blind or visually impaired? Partner with state agencies and local private agencies serving people who are blind or visually impaired. Up-to-date Client lists Accessible communication methods for each client Clients usually trust them because of their relationship 32 November 12, 2013 16
Identify yourself Take a neighbor or someone e they know or trust with you Most likely accessible communication will be to verbally tell them: They need to evacuate Why they need to evacuate What actions they should take Remember to evacuate the guide dog too! 33 State and local private agencies serving blind and visually impaired individuals. Consumer organizations Local chapter of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) Local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Need local training from staff who are familiar with your area 34 November 12, 2013 17
Simulcasting works good Smart phone accessible e Apps work good Continued outreach with blind and visually impaired groups 35 Deaf Community Outreach During an Emergency WHAT WE LEARNED MAY 2013 36 November 12, 2013 18
Partnering with community groups Team with established groups in the community National Association of the Deaf (NAD) affiliates in most states Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) affiliates in most states State departments specializing in Deafness College/ Universities with Deaf related degrees and programs Sign Language service entities 37 Before May 2013 Attend emergency management meetings American Red Cross FAST - Functional Assessment Support Team g y management g Get in contact with emergency groups 38 November 12, 2013 19
Live Broadcasts American Sign Language interpreter should be on screen during live broadcasts Captioning should be present during live announcements Sign Language and captioning should be used together 39 In the Wake of the Storm We knew storms were imminent Warned Called Deaf clients through interpreters in field Deaf clients Notified all working interpreters in the field 40 November 12, 2013 20
Search and Rescue Deaf families homes directly hit (no hearing person present) Along with verbal calls, use flashing lights, (safely) bang on wood/metal to get response Have interpreters ready to assist: During search, search in shelters, at Multi Agency Resource Centers (MARC), Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC), and Incident Command Posts 41 Other accommodations Printed material Writing back and forth Picture boards Gestures/ Signals Face the person as you speak Don t rely on lip-reading (but may be useful to some) Batteries for hearing aids 42 November 12, 2013 21
Community took action Community had intimate knowledge of families affected We immediately did a roll call, and assessed needs Volunteers were gathered to help Donations started in ti t t d coming i i 43 Long Term Recovery Deaf community and organizations needs to be involved in various Task Force and Long Term Recovery groups Deaf leaders and victims should be consulted have first l d so state agencies i h fi hand h d knowledge 44 November 12, 2013 22
What have we learned? FEMA suggests you: Carry a pre-printed accommodation and access card that has your contact information as well as those who can be notified on your behalf. The card should also include key phrases that will help others communicate with you such as I cannot hear sirens or alarms and I use American Sign Language and need an interpreter. State commission which focuses on all the needs of the Deaf Make sure all live announcements and news conferences are captioned, and have American Sign Language interpretation 45 People with Cognitive Disabilities 46 November 12, 2013 23
47 Verbal Low Verbal Non-Verbal 48 November 12, 2013 24
Speak calmly Give extra time for the person to process what you are saying and to respond. Speak directly to the person Use short sentences Use simple, direct, concrete words and phrases with no more than one or two steps 49 Don t give multiple commands ask or state one thing at a time Use accurate, honest information Use pictures and objects to illustrate your words Point to your ID picture as you say who you are, Point to any protective equipment as you speak about it. 50 November 12, 2013 25
Write brief instructions on a pad if the person can read Avoid using phrases that may have more than one meaning Reduce distractions, for example: Lower volume of radio, Use flashing lights on vehicle only when necessary 51 My name is... I'm here to help you, not hurt you. I am a... (name your job) I am here because... (explain the situation) I look different than my picture on my badge because... (for example, if you are wearing protective equipment) Show your picture identification badge (as you say the above). Show that you are calm and competent. 52 November 12, 2013 26
What will happen When events will happen How long this will last or when things will return to normal When the person can contact or rejoin loved ones 53 Repeat reassurances Repeat encouragement Provide frequent updates on what's happening and what will happen next Consider using written material (including signs) in everyday language. Public address system announcements in simple language. 54 November 12, 2013 27
Simple concise direct sentences with words appropriate p for their cognitive age Pictures Common hand gestures 55 Look for special communication information (for example, is the person using sign language)? Yes or No questions - They can shake or nod their head Pictures American Sign Language 56 November 12, 2013 28
Communications Board Picture Board All types of in person or face to face communications: In the field Office or field office Shelter Disaster Recovery Center 57 58 November 12, 2013 29
59 Pictogram/Pictograph Uses images for communications Pictogram is a "telegram language" All types of in person or face to face communications: In the field Office or field office Shelter Disaster Recovery Center 60 November 12, 2013 30
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63 Thank you for participating in today s Emergency Preparedness Session This session was recorded and will be available for review at www.adaconferences.org/emergency/archives within 24 hours of the completion of this session Please watch the website bi www.adaconferences.org/emergency for future scheduled sessions info@adaconferences.org 877 232 1990 (V/TTY) 64 November 12, 2013 32