Disaster Tips for the Hearing Impaired

This checklist will assist people who are deaf or hearing impaired in being prepared when disaster strikes

Hearing Aids

• Store Hearing Aids in a strategic consistent and secured location so they can be found and used after a disaster. For example, consider storing them in a container by your bedside. Attach the container to a nightstand or bedpost using a Velcro. Missing or damaged hearing aids will be difficult to replace or fix immediately after a major disaster

Batteries

• Store extra batteries for hearing aids and implants. If available, store and extra hearing aid with your emergency supplies
• Maintain TTY batteries. Consult your manual for information
• Store extra batteries for your TTY and light phone signaler. Check the owner's manual for proper battery maintenance

Communication

• Determine how you will communicate with emergency personnel if there is no interpreter or if you don't have your hearing aids. Store paper and pens for this purpose
• Consider carrying a per-printed copy of the important messages with you such as "I Speak ASL (American Sign Language) and need an ASL interpreter" "I do not write or read english" and "If you mae announcements, I will need to have them written or signed
• If possible, obtain a battery-operated television that has a decoder chip for access to signed or captioned emergency reports.
• Determine which broadcasting systems will be accessible for news that will be captioned and /or signed

Alarms

• Install both audible alarms and visual smole alarms. At least one should be battery operated