Disasters And Disability
by George
What happens to Deaf people during disasters like the events of September 11, 2001, or during the Katrina hurricane? What happens to deaf and hard of hearing people, or people with disabilities generally? Unfortunately, we know that accommodations for people with disabilities generally tend to be very limited. How many wheelchair users died on Sept 11 because they did not have an evacuation chair and a team of co-workers ready to take them down the stairs — instead of being forced to wait for help that never arrived? More here http://reunifygally.wordpress.com/2007/09/12/ deaf-in-disaster-or-emergency-situations/ And see the National Council on Disability's Public Consultation of May 31, 2007 , called Homeland Security, Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Relief and Recovery here http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2007/ ncd_consultant_05-31-07.htm Submissions were due by September 16 but maybe your site could link up with their information if enough people respond with their stories? |
