ABSTRACT
During emergencies and natural disasters, a number of key population segments are disproportionately affected, which is an ongoing problem for planners, fi rst responders, as well as for caregivers of members of these groups. For example, in the United States there are approximately 56.7 million men, women, and children with disabilities that to some degree impact their everyday activities (Brault, 2012). If one expands this population to include children, elderly and aging, other minorities, and those for whom English is a second language, those with low literacy and/or low income are added to vulnerable populations, that number encompasses almost 50 per cent of the population (Kailes & Enders, 2007). This is particularly of concern as researchers have found that a number of critical components (communications, sheltering, evacuations, and planning) do not specifi cally take into account the needs of people with disabilities (Kailes & Enders, 2007; Mitchell et al., 2011; NCD, 2014). Emergency communications researchers have begun to examine the accessibility and effectiveness of information provided to people with disabilities. A contributing factor is their inability to receive emergency alerts or communications, which would allow them to take protective action. This ranges from more adaptable messages to the use of online and social media platforms. In this context, we use the word ‘adaptable’ to refer to wearable technologies that may be adapted or personalized for the individual user. This chapter addresses specifi cally how the role of new media can be incorporated into ensuring that messages are accessible with regards to sociological issues and helpful to people with sensory disabilities.
