Accessible Communication
PJ: “Terrye, we’ve talked about respectful communication. Communication also needs to be accessible. ‘Accessible’ means that everyone can receive and understand messages. In emergency planning that means that warnings, alerts, instructions, public education materials, websites with emergency information, messages given in an Emergency Dispensing Site, etc. must be accessible.
Accessible communication isn’t just for people with disabilities. Accessible messages help all people better understand information. Accessible communications will be easier for people with low literacy to understand as well. This kind of communication is 4ALL.
Carrie: And in local planning for emergencies, disasters and pandemics, communication is crucial. Emergency managers tell us that even though communication is important, it’s usually the first system that breaks down when disaster strikes.
Communications should also be actionable so that people can understand them and then take the right action. If someone can’t hear or understand an evacuation warning, they won’t evacuate. If someone who needs an accessible building entrance to participate in an emergency planning meeting and there is no signage, then they can’t participate.
?Terry, which message below is actionable?
On a handout: “Be prepared”
On a street sign: “Hurricane route”
On TV: “The emergency shelter is at 45 Elm St. The accessible entrance is around the corner at 54 Oak St.”
On the radio: “This is a hurricane warning”
Terry’s Response
“Hurricane route” on a street sign and “The emergency shelter is at 45 Elm St. The accessible entrance is around the corner at 54 Oak St” on TV are both actionable. The street sign tells you to stay on that road if you are evacuating from a hurricane and you can take action to do that. The TV message is actionable because when a wheelchair user arrives at the emergency shelter they will be able to take action to enter the building.
Communications can be tailored to different access needs.
Look at the list of communication access needs and the possible communication access solutions. Match each need to its solution.
| Condition/Disability Type | Communication Need | Communication Access Solution |
Physical/mobility disabilities (may use a cane, walker, scooter or wheelchair) | Communication about accessible spaces | Written or verbal communication regarding physical access (noting accessible bathrooms and entrances) |
Autism (range of neurological differences) | Limit loud or unexpected noises; minimize routine interruption (change this, look up CMIST and see what they have for this) | Use plain language or pictures in communications, understand some autistic individuals may use sign language or augmentative communication devices |
Deaf/Hard of Hearing | Needs communication that doesn’t rely on sound | Written communication, real-time captioning, and American or Black American Sign Language |
Blind/Low Vision | Needs communication that doesn’t rely on sight | Braille communication, auditory video, image description, or large print |
Cognitive disability (Traumatic Brain Injury, intellectual disability, learning disability) | Clear directions, visual contrast needed | Use plain language (simplified text) and pictures in communications |
PJ: Emergency communications are planned in advance as much as possible. When disaster strikes the community wants to be ready to share information with its residents. Messages should also be tested with the intended audience. So native Spanish speakers should review Spanish language communications. People with disabilities should review messages intended for people with disabilities.
EM: That’s right PJ, but the other thing about accessible communication is: it’s the LAW! Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), people with disabilities have the right to accessible communication and programs. It is the local government’s job to make their communications accessible. As you work with emergency managers and public health professionals, you may have to explain what the ADA is and what their obligations are.
We’ll talk some more about the ADA on another visit.
After you receive your Prepared4ALL Certificate we’ll share a Resource List with accessible language resources.
PJ: Terrye, one of the things you may be asked to help with is making communications as understandable as possible. This is called “plain language,” designed for as many people as possible to understand communications quickly and completely. Plain language is accessible for many people with disabilities, especially people with cognitive or intellectual disabilities, but it also helps people who have low literacy, are not native English speakers, or are unfamiliar with the content.
Plain language tips include:
Use pronouns as much as possible (e.g., he, she, it, they, someone, who
Write for your reader, not yourself
Use everyday words and short sentences
Use active voice, not passive voice
Have someone else review your writing
PJ: “Let’s practice. Terrye, please make the sentence below into plain language:
“This regulation governs disaster assistance for services to prevent hardship caused by fire, flood, or acts of nature that are not provided by FEMA or the Red Cross.”
Terrye’s Response
One way to make this sentence into plain language is to use bullet points to make it easier to read.
This rule is about disaster assistance that includes:
Services to prevent certain problems caused by fire, flood, or natural disasters; and
Services not provided by FEMA or the Red Cross, but by another program
You could also say something like: This rule is about help that prevents certain problems caused fire, flood or a natural disaster and about help provided by a program other than FEMA or the Red Cross.
PJ: “Great work, Terrye! Let’s go back to Wild Wind Way and see if we run into anybody else.