NEWS

Institute on Disabilities at Temple University develops important tool for Emergency Responders and shelters

During an emergency, communication is vital. For that reason, Dr. Diane Nelson Bryen, former Executive Director of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University and now Professor Emertias, worked so diligently for the past two years to develop a series "communication aids" for use in emergency situations.

While conceived for people with significant communication issues (those who do not use traditional speech for communication), these aids can be used by anyone – for those who do not speak English or those who are temporarily unable to speak.

Here’s how they work. A series of small button shaped boxes are printed in a grid. The "buttons" contain some of the most commonly used or expected phrases, such as, "water", "cold," "need/want," etc.

"We did research," Dr. Bryen says, "asking people with disabilities and emergency responders what they considered to be the most important words or concepts for communication during a natural disaster or a man-made emergency."

In addition to the word images, there are common phrases such as "Please contact my family." Also, there are images of the human body so the user can communicate about an injury or pain. Finally, a grid of the complete alphabet will accommodate the spelling of other key words.

Dr. Bryen says that the most important part of this tool is on the back of the board. "We've included space for important personal and medical information. Again, we've created this based on feedback from people with disabilities as well as emergency responders."

Individuals who would like to have the communication aids can go to the web site of the Institute on Disabilities to download it. "Remember to print BOTH sides," Dr. Bryen says. "Your personal information is vital to responders, medical personnel and shelter workers."

Once printed and completed, Dr. Bryen suggests that the user keep it with them at all times. In addition, emergency responders and shelters are strongly encouraged to maintain an inventory of the communication aids at all times. Also on the Institute’s web site will be helpful tips and suggestions for communicating with people with disabilities.

"Because they can be used by many people, the communication aids should be standard in every shelter."

To download the communication aids, log on to http://disabilities.temple.edu/aacvocabulary/e4all.shtml. A limited number of printed copies are available for order from the Institute on Disabilities.

For people who are unable to communicate using speech, this communication aid is vital during an emergency. The user points to a picture or letters to spell a word. With this aid, the emergency worker, medical personnel or a support person is able to understand what the person is asking for.

This program was funded by a grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.