DEAF COMMUNITY OUTREACH
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210318/deaf-community-outreach] 

Release Date: 
January 12, 2020 

STATEMENT:

FEMA is fully committed to providing preparedness, response and
recovery information in formats accessible to the whole community and
takes its responsibility to meet the needs of the deaf community very
seriously.

In order to support the governor’s press conference Saturday, the
agency expedited deployment of an ASL interpreter Friday night. FEMA
is also deploying a Spanish-speaking interpreter who is en route to
the island and is securing additional contract support from local
interpreters to support the Commonwealth and ensure information from
the Governor and other officials is fully accessible to all disaster
survivors.

FEMA HAS ACTIVELY ENGAGED WITH THE DEAF COMMUNITY IN PUERTO RICO SINCE
HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA AND CONTINUES THAT OUTREACH. SOME EXAMPLES
OF THE OUTREACH INCLUDE:

	* Deployed a Certified Deaf Interpreter to the Joint Recovery Office
to assist and build relationships with the deaf community.
	* Contracted with local sign language interpreters who have completed
over 500 assignments to share recovery information.
	* Conducted more than 30 workshops throughout the island, including
interpreter training as well as communication and outreach training
for local emergency managers, government officials, public information
officers and community members. 
	* Provided training to emergency management personnel on how to
request interpreter services and how to use Video Remote Interpreting
services as an additional resource in all disaster recovery centers.
	* Created videos and held workshops incorporating LSPL sign language
to share information on available preparedness and recovery resources
with the local deaf community. 

FEMA remains committed to serving all disasters survivor populations
as part of its mission to help people before, during and after
disasters.