This presentation will highlight the United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication’s (USSAAC) Disaster Relief Committee’s (DRC) contributions in relief, research, and outreach. The DRC started in 2005 in response to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina impacting the southeastern United States. A group of AAC professionals first identified people who lost access to their AAC systems and equipment in this disaster, then assisted by replacing communication devices and accessories. These efforts have continued and have been expanded into the present day including the utilization of recovers.org, a platform for disaster organization management. Details regarding these developments will be shared.
Another outgrowth of the DRC has been its involvement in research which has led to two publications. The first project focused on discussing the survey findings of families who received assistance from the DRC after Hurricane Harvey. The aim was to use the results to identify future DRC initiatives that would assist families in preparing for other natural disasters. Given that most of the families reported not having a disaster preparedness plan or one what included AAC, DRC developed the Disaster Preparedness for People Who Use AAC Toolkit. This toolkit is a text-based learning tool and is designed to deliver text messages to the person’s phone every few days with concrete steps for creating a disaster preparedness plan. As such, a second qualitative study was conducted to pilot test the utility of the toolkit with three participants who were using AAC to communicate. The findings indicated that the use of the toolkit was feasible and yielded positive changes. Both studies highlight the importance of continued research that leads to better disaster and emergency preparedness within the AAC community and beyond.
Finally, this presentation will elaborate on the DRC’s role in community outreach. Some of the primary ways the DRC has amplified its reach throughout the country include training first responders about AAC, creating emergency responder communication boards, educating AAC professionals in preparedness through webinars and podcasts, and sponsoring a mini grant for the development of RescueVoice, an app designed for emergency communication. As a whole, these efforts have promoted AAC awareness in an area that is often overlooked and underutilized.
In summary, the authors intend to emphasize how the engagement of a dedicated committee can provide impactful service and become a bridge for communities in times of crisis. All ISAAC members can engage in community efforts when equipped with the tools necessary to advocate for AAC users and foster inclusive communication practices in disaster preparedness.
Accessible Summary:
– The Disaster Relief Committee (DRC) assists individuals who have lost AAC systems and equipment in nationally declared disasters.
– The DRC has engaged in several research projects aimed at fostering disaster preparedness.
– The DRC engages in community outreach through training, resources, and grants.
– The DRC urges all ISAAC members to engage in advocacy efforts that promote inclusive practices.
