NAD Distributes $8,000 to Deaf Katrina Relief Organization

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) distributed $8,000 from the NAD Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund to the Disaster Relief Center for Information and Referral of Baton Rouge to continue providing services for deaf and hard of hearing survivors.

The NAD Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund was formed to directly aid deaf and hard of hearing Americans impacted by this tragic event. The Fund has assisted organizations and schools that are providing resources to feed, clothe and shelter displaced deaf and hard of hearing survivors and their families. The Fund has also enabled communication access to needed programs and services.

"The NAD commends the tremendous efforts by the Disaster Relief Center," said NAD President Andrew J. Lange.  "We want to thank all of the people who donated to the NAD Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund to help deaf and hard of hearing people get back on their feet and recover from the disaster."

The Disaster Relief Center has worked tirelessly since Tuesday, September 6, 2005 to come to the immediate aid and assistance of hundreds of deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, and speech impaired people of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and other survivors across the United States. Immediately after the disaster, the Disaster Relief Center staff and other agencies worked together to reunite families and friends and provide long term assistance as the rebuilding continues.

Direct and immediate interpreting services were provided at the Disaster Relief Center. A telecommunication equipment replacement program was established with the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf. The Disaster Relief Center helped survivors replace their lost or damaged hearing aids and other assistive technologies. The Center also provided access to Video Phones (VP), donated by relay companies. This level of communication access was unprecedented and the Disaster Relief Center continues to offer these services to all who need during the long term process of rebuilding their lives and the Gulf Coast.

The Disaster Relief Center also served as a mailing address to enable displaced persons to receive mail, as they sought temporary and permanent addresses. Over 200 deaf and hard of hearing survivors along with hundreds of family members averaged 50 telephone calls, 50 emails, and 10 videophone calls per day during the month of September 2005. The staff has been coordinating disaster relief and case management services to enable deaf, deaf-bind, and hard of hearing people to obtain security and a return to normalcy during this period of turmoil, disaster recovery, and long term rebuilding.

"Hurricane Katrina was a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to all of those who lost so much from this disaster," said NAD CEO Nancy J. Bloch, "We hope that our support for the services provided by the Disaster Relief Center will help survivors continue their path towards full recovery."