ADA National Network Learning Session: Strategies for Effective Communication with People who are Deaf or Hard or Hearing in Emergencies

Date/Time: July 14, 2016

Location: Webinar

Description: These 90 minute webinars are delivered by the Pacific ADA Center using the Blackboard Collaborate webinar platform. All sessions will be captioned, recorded and archived.

This program is delivered via both webinar platform and via telephone (additional charges may apply). Real-time captioning is available via the webinar platform.

All webinars offered have real-time closed captioning for persons who are hearing impaired. The webinars are accessible to people with vision disabilities by using screen readers. The webinar system is also accessible to people with mobility/dexterity impairments who use keyboard commands instead of mouse clicks.

This presentation will provide two examples of practices for effective communications with people with disabilities in emergencies. The first is a partnership between Center for Public Safety Innovation at St. Petersburg College and the State of Florida to provide a course entitled Effective Strategies for Communicating With People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Other Access and Functional Needs. Speakers will provide an overview of objectives and course content, as well as discuss the interactions and the purpose of this training as a face-to-face workshop instead of distance learning and why.

In the second half of the webinar, staff from the New York City Office of Emergency Management will cover their emergency outreach efforts to persons who are deaf and/or hard of hearing. Staff will review the policy and cost considerations, production tips, and operational procedures that were used to produce and embed approximately 80 signed videos into Notify NYC — the City's free, official source of information about emergency events and important City services. Initial videos were taped with an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter and the agency has moved to production with a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI). The City has also prioritized the use of a CDI whenever the Mayor or Commissioner of Emergency Management is providing key emergency messages to the public during an emergency activation.

Learning objectives:

• Explain the importance of effective communication for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and other access and functional needs.

• Describe the various sub-groups of people who are deaf or hard of hearing, including their communication needs.

• Outline the partnership between the State of Florida and St. Petersburg College to efficiently deliver the workshop for: Effective Strategies for Communicating With People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Other Access and Functional Needs.

• Understand the difference between an ASL and CDI interpreter and the decision-making process of when to utilize each in emergency planning to outreach to the deaf and hard of hearing communities.

• Learn the production process and operating protocol used by a local government to incorporate video and audio recordings into emergency notifications well in advance of an emergency.

To register please click here