A recent study published in The International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction looked into the challenges faced by the deaf community in obtaining information and assistance with disaster preparedness. Focusing on the New South Wales region, the study found that members of the deaf community had greater than average vulnerability to disasters, as driven by lower awareness and preparedness, and limited knowledge of emergency services and responsibilities.
These issues were often driven by the methods of communication used to distribute information around disaster preparedness and emergency readiness, with key communications frequently being made primarily or only through audio formats. This reliance on television, radio, or even loudspeaker alerts can leave deaf people without access to key data on items like emergency shelter locations, or even who to ask for assistance. In turn, this omission of the deaf community from emergency planning can lead to mistrust of emergency response officials, due to the previous exclusions.
By engaging the deaf community earlier in the planning process, and considering the delivery of critical planning information in more accessible formats, the study found engagement can be greatly increased, and outcomes improved.
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