National Association of the Deaf

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network (DHHCAN) want to learn about the experiences of deaf and hard of hearing adults and children during the recent disasters, such as the hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfires that occurred in 2005. Your stories will be very important in helping us improve the preparation, response, and recovery to emergencies. We will keep your name confidential if you wish.

Here are some examples of stories the DHHCAN would like to learn about:

• How you found out about the emergency, and any problems you had in
  getting information.
• Whether you were able to continue to get information throughout the
  emergency, and how you got it.
• What your biggest problems or concerns were during the emergency.
• Where you stayed during the emergency (or afterward if you could not
  return home) and any problems you encountered there because of your
  deafness or hearing loss.
• What individuals or groups you feel were the most help to you
  before, during, and after the emergency, and how they helped you (for
  example: a neighbor, a friend, an organization, a business, a church,
  a government agency).
• What problems you still have to deal with because of the emergency,
  and whether you are getting the help you need.
• What you would like to see different or better to help you feel more
  prepared and safe in a future emergency.

We recognize that many of the people hit hardest by the disasters may not have the time or resources to tell us about their experiences. It is very important to us that we hear their stories, so we ask that others who know these individuals write about them or record them by video. We want to hear not just from deaf and hard of hearing individuals but also from their families, friends, and people who have worked with them.

We are also interested in hearing about the experiences of deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened and deaf-blind individuals who have assisted in these recent emergencies, whether as a volunteer or part of their job.

Information can be sent by email to Cheryl Heppner at cheppner@nvrc.org.

Videotapes or CDs can be sent to Cheryl Heppner at:
NVRC
3951 Pender Drive, Suite 130
Fairfax, VA 22030

In December 2004, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network (DHHCAN), through a partnership with the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC), released "Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Communication Access: Lessons
Learned Since 9/11 and Recommendations." The NAD is one of the 16 members of the DHHCAN coalition.

This national report -- also called "the deaf and hard of hearing community's 9/11" report -- has already resulted in policy changes and an increased awareness of the needs of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in preparing for emergencies, during emergencies, and in the aftermath of emergencies. To view the full report, please go to:
http://www.nad.org/DHHCANer

Your information and stories will become part of a second report with
additional recommendations based on what we learn from you and others.

NAD Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund

Please support the NAD Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund to assist
organizations and schools who are providing resources to feed, clothe,
and shelter displaced deaf and hard of hearing survivors and their
families and to enable communication access to needed programs and
services. Please donate at:
http://www.nad.org/katrinarelief