Interacting with Persons with Disabilities during

Sheltering OperationsDonna Platt, Emergency Preparedness

CoordinatorNC 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 KitsCan be taken to a shelter each timeCan 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/hearing- loss/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 InformationDonna PlattEmergency Preparedness CoordinatorNorth Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing919.578.1262Donna.Platt@dhhs.nc.gov