Ensuring Equal Access in Emergencies

The Role of ASL Interpreters in Emergency Situations

Weather Emergencies

Amelia, living independently as a Deaf person in a Chicago suburb, curled up in a comfortable chair in her new apartment immersed in a good book. As she flipped another page of her novel, a sudden flash of light caught her eye, and a massive rumble shook her seat. Within seconds the power went out, leaving her in darkness. She crossed the room to grab her phone and saw the emergency alert: a tornado warning.

New to the area, Amelia was uncertain of the procedure for tornado safety and had no idea where to find safe shelter. With a heightened sense of insecurity and fear, she scrambled down the stairs. Once on the first floor, surrounded by windows on every side, she noticed the tornado warning was posted on an emergency messaging monitor in the lobby. Over the public address system instructions for safe shelter were announced and repeated over and over. Ameila, being Deaf, did not hear the information and grew more frightened as the building continued to shake. Checking the lobby monitor one more time, much to her relief she saw a split screen emergency message with an ASL interpreter explaining where to find shelter and a captioned explanation with details underneath. Amelia took shelter immediately as directed, disaster was averted, and her sense of safety was restored.

Transportation Emergencies

On the other side of the country, Quinn, a 21-year-old Deaf college student, had spent the weekend visiting his family and was now on his way back to campus. He sat by the window on the train and watched as the open countryside rolled by. Suddenly, the train lurched to a stop, jerking his body forward and causing him to look up in confusion. The train sat still in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by fields and distant hills. Quinn checked his phone and saw it had no signal. Passengers appeared to be talking about the situation, but he couldn’t decipher any of what they were saying. The situation felt unsettling, and the lack of communication only heightened his anxiety.

After a few minutes, a video appeared on a small monitor at the front of the railcar. From a distance Quinn could see the person talking. As he moved closer, he was also able to see the ASL interpreter and the captions scrolling along the bottom of the screen. While the information was not specific to their situation, it did provide some essential details on what to expect in an emergency. Quinn learned that a Conductor would be coming through soon to answer questions, and that he was equipped for all forms of communication. This put Quinn at ease, and he returned to his seat. Luckily, after about 15 minutes, the roaming flock of sheep had crossed the track, and the train resumed its course.

Threat of Danger Emergencies

On a different day, a Deaf office employee was sitting at her desk when an alert flashed across her screen. It was a security warning stating there was a potential bomb threat and employees were instructed to evacuate immediately. Emily quickly skimmed the message, but the lack of the emergency details and unclear instructions left her feeling uncertain. Emily knew she couldn’t rely on the loudspeakers that typically guide others in these situations. And there was no visible sign of emergency personnel for communication. She raced toward the stairwell with the others, but Emily had no way of knowing if the threat was nearby or if she was in severe danger.

Finally, Emily managed to flag down a security guard, who pointed to the screen on a tablet. It showed a video with captions explaining which exits were safest for this emergency. The screen captions also provided updates from their emergency management team. Emily felt a wave of relief as she read the updates and found her way to safety.

Unique Challenges for Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing People

Deaf individuals face several challenges during emergency situations, many of which stem from communication barriers and accessibility issues. One significant challenge is the lack of visual alerts. Emergency alarms, such as fire sirens or tornado warnings, are typically designed to be heard, meaning that Deaf people may not be aware of an emergency unless there are alternative visual cues, like flashing lights or text notifications. Without these, they may remain unaware of immediate dangers, which can be life-threatening.

Communication becomes a crucial issue during emergencies. For those who rely on sign language, an emergency responder who isn’t familiar with it can create confusion, and important instructions or information might not be conveyed clearly. Written communication may not always be effective or fast enough, especially in high-pressure situations.

Another major concern is the limited access to real-time information. Deaf people may miss out on crucial updates if emergency alerts, news broadcasts, or instructions are provided only in audio formats. Without captioning or sign language interpreters, they could be left uninformed about the situation, which can compromise their safety.

“Emergencies happen across the country in various forms:  hurricanes, tornados, floods, fires, terrorist attacks, and other natural and manmade disasters.  In emergencies, up-to-date information is life-saving.  But too often, this information is not accessible to Deaf and hard of hearing people,” says the National Association of the Deaf.

Emergency information is often distributed via alerts which may be incomplete or inaccessible. The good news is that with a commitment to equal access and a team dedicated to inclusive communication, video with post-production strategies can make those alerts more accessible for individuals who are Deaf and who rely on ASL.

The Role of ASL Interpreters

ASL interpreters can play a crucial role in ensuring effective communication during emergency situations. Their primary responsibilities include:

1. Providing Access to Critical Information: ASL interpreters translate emergency announcements, instructions, and warnings (such as weather alerts or evacuation procedures) into sign language, ensuring that Deaf people can understand vital information.

2. Facilitating Communication from Emergency Personnel: Interpreters help bridge communication between Deaf individuals and emergency responders, enabling them to understand each other’s needs, safety concerns, and instructions during crises.

3. Translating Emergency Alerts: In situations where broadcasts or alerts are issued through television or radio (like tornado warnings or evacuation orders), ASL interpreters are essential to make these messages accessible for Deaf individuals who can’t rely on sound.

4. Assisting in Public Safety Settings: They may be present at emergency shelters, public announcements, or community meetings to ensure that Deaf individuals receive the same level of access to safety and emergency response information as hearing individuals.

5. Reducing Anxiety and Stress: By ensuring Deaf individuals can access important information in emergencies, interpreters reduce confusion, anxiety, and the feeling of isolation, empowering individuals to act swiftly and appropriately.

One great example of accessible emergency information was created by SOS Technologies.  SOS Technologies is a company dedicated to reducing the time necessary to mitigate risk across our communities by enabling the power of technology and people. In this short video, SOS Technologies uses ASL as well as captioning to convey a critical message in the case of a school lockdown.

ASL interpreters need to be part of any emergency response strategy in order to achieve equal access for all. Plan ahead to ensure messaging is accessible through video, ASL interpreters, and captioning.