Training and Education course to develop strike teams of sign language interpreters and establishing a "resource typing" that can be incorporated into the National Mutual Aid and Resource Management Initiative. The specific goal of the program is to train and pre-credential sign language interpreters to provide ASL interpreting services to the deaf and hard of hearing community during times of crisis. This resource's capability is readily defined and emergency managers will be able to effectively and efficiently request and receive this resource through mutual aid during times of disaster. Too often, government and organizations rely on "volunteer" interpreters, at the last minute, these interpreters often are not qualified or prepared for what they may encounter and become problematic for first responders in addition to them being vulnerable to secondary trauma and PTSD. The immediate availability of strike teams for the deaf and hard of hearing community is synonymous to having an access ramp into a building. The secondary and tertiary trauma to the deaf and hard of hearing community is easily rectified by having a resource readily available, trained and educated. In addition, the program emphasizes personal preparedness for the interpreter, as many interpreters have deaf family and friends, or are themselves deaf; this program assists government with their message of "personal readiness".
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Getting Real IIPromising Practices in Inclusive Emergency Management for the Whole Community |