Emergency Communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Authors

Kelly E. Roberge,  Jeffrey Cyril Marrion,  Samantha Kingsley,  Timothy R. Flynn

Sponsor

Victorian Deaf Society

Advisors

Peter R. Christopher,  Lauren M. Mathews

Term

March – May 2010

Abstract

This project, motivated partly by the recent bushfires, was prepared in cooperation with the Victorian Deaf Society in Melbourne, Australia to evaluate the effectiveness of Victoria’s emergency communication system for the Deaf and hard of hearing. The project team compared emergency communication systems in Australia with those of other countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. We conducted onsite interviews and surveys with the Deaf and hard of hearing of Victoria and contacted other important stakeholders. Then, we proposed recommendations to the Victorian Deaf Society aimed to help implement changes that would better alert the Deaf and hard of hearing during emergencies.

Final Report

Emergency Communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing