Disaster Preparedness: Ensuring the Safety of People Who Use AAC Theresa Tanchak, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP Region 4 Education Service Center, Houston, Texas ATIA 2009Theresa Tanchak, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP1

History and Background Information United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC) – Gulf State Hurricane Relief Effort – Gulf Relief Fund – AAC and All That Jazz Conference - Feb – AAC ACTion Corps Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi Ongoing phone conference calls and s Face-to-face meetings: February 2008 (New Orleans, Louisiana) and September 2008 (Bay St. Louis, Mississippi) ATIA 2009Theresa Tanchak, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP2

Complex Humanitarian Emergencies (CHE) Communication access - a huge issue People with complex communication needs (CCN) - among the most vulnerable Preparation and planning - key to survival People with CCN - NOT always considered in disaster planning, training, or drills ATIA 2009Theresa Tanchak, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP3

Who Is Vulnerable During a CHE? People with speech, hearing, and/or vision impairments that result in CCN The very young People with limited understanding of spoken language People under severe stress or who are confused People who do not have access to tools and/or supports they need People with significant cognitive challenges People with second-language issues People with mobility limitations People who are sick/ill ATIA 2009Theresa Tanchak, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP4

People with CCN and Those Who Care About Them Need to… Self identify Be involved in disaster planning, training activities and drills Advocate Prepare Are you prepared for an emergency? Are the people you care about ready? Is your Go-Bag packed? Do you always carry a paper communication display with you? ATIA 2009Theresa Tanchak, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP5

Checklist for People with CCN and Those Who Care About Them ATIA 2009Theresa Tanchak, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP6

Go-Bag Items ATIA 2009Theresa Tanchak, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP7

First Responders and Emergency Management Personnel Firefighters, police, ambulance drivers, nurses, doctors, etc. Government officials Policy makers Disability advocates Organizations and entities: national, international, regional, local ATIA 2009Theresa Tanchak, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP8

First Responders and Emergency Management Personnel ATIA 2009Theresa Tanchak, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP9

First Responders and Emergency Management Personnel ATIA 2009Theresa Tanchak, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP10

First Responders and Emergency Management Personnel ATIA 2009Theresa Tanchak, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP11

Advocates of People with CCN Encourage inclusion of people with CCN in preparedness planning/drills Encourage AAC community to participate Be aware of key laws/policies Develop community outreach Identify transportation issues Identify shelters ATIA 2009Theresa Tanchak, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP12

Web-Based Resources wwwcdihp.org/products.html#evac_guide ATIA 2009Theresa Tanchak, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP13

Print-Based Resources Augmentative Communication News Vol. 19, No. 4 Billy Builds a Kit Disaster Wheels Commercially available communication displays ATIA 2009Theresa Tanchak, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP14

AAC ACTion Corps Next Steps Ask AAC manufacturers to include information in their mailings on disaster preparedness. Develop a course to train first responders, firemen, etc. Prepare materials for use by weather channels (e.g., pack your GO BAG, storm stories). Create an informational flyer/brochure for students, families, and school staff. ATIA 2009Theresa Tanchak, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP15