Transcript Shelter NCEMA Conference Sunset Beach, NC October 13, 2015

Interacting with Persons with
Disabilities during
Sheltering Operations
Donna Platt, Emergency Preparedness
Coordinator
NC EMA Conference, Sunset Beach, NC
October 13, 2015
Demographics in North Carolina
• Over 1.2 million with hearing loss
(2010)
• By 2030, hearing loss population
increase by 41% to 1.7 million
Types of Hearing Loss
•
•
•
•
•
Deaf
Late-Deafened
Deaf-Blind
Hard of Hearing
Newly-Deafened
Hearing Loss
• Invisible
• No hearing loss is alike
• Each person has her/his own
communication preference. There
is no one size that fits all.
Communication Modes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
American Sign Language (ASL)
Lipreading
Gestures
Print on palm
Typing/Writing Notes
Dry erase board
Drawing
Pocket talker and/or assistive listening
devices
• Use communication board
• Expect the unexpected
Do Not:
• Be afraid of us
• Ask us if we can read
• Use interpreter to fill out forms for
consumers
• Assume to understand us
• Call us “death”
Do:
•
•
•
•
Be patient
Ask us what is best way to communicate
Be creative in communicating with us
Set up signage in simple language with
graphics at appropriate height
How Can You Be Prepared?
• Receive training on communication
tools
• Review the agency’s Communication
Plan
• Compile list of resources (interpreters,
places for hearing batteries, etc)
How Can You Be Prepared? continued
• Pack Communication Kits
 Can be taken to a shelter each time
 Can be shared with other emergency responders
(stockpile)
• Review devices to be used as
multi-purposes
• Invite community members to
participate in exercises
Who Can You Contact for Assistance
in Preparation?
• Community Accessibility Consultant at one
of seven DSDHH’s Regional Centers
http://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/hearingloss/regional-centers-for-the-deaf-hard-of-hearing
• Free – no cost for consultation and training
• Will travel!
• The goal of Division of Services for the
Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (DSDHH)
is to assist various emergency entities
in ensuring the safety and health of
individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind and
hard of hearing in North Carolina.
Contact Information
Donna Platt
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
North Carolina Division of Services for
the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing
919.578.1262
[email protected]