Silent no More Inclusive Sign Language for EWS & DRR

Abstract

A study by the Pacific Disability Forum (2022) found that climate change is increasing the impacts of pre-existing exclusion for persons with disabilities and creating new risks and negative impacts for persons with disabilities. The report also highlights that early warning information is not always designed or delivered in a way that reaches individuals with disabilities, and particularly those who are deaf, blind or have vision impairment, or intellectual or psychological disability. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) mandates stronger inclusion of persons with disability in DRR. Yet pathways to achieving new targets for disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction (DiDRR) and their feasibility remain unclear and are under-researched.Early Warning Systems (EWS) may give people valuable seconds to take protective action. In order for individuals to take protective action, they need to receive the alert, understand the alert message, and have enough contextual knowledge to take appropriate protective action.Supported by the European Union-funded Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications Programme (ClimSA), SPREP in partnership with the Pacific Disability Forum have developed a glossary of commonly used meteorological terms which have been translated into Oceania Sign as a series of videos.At COP29, ClimSA Pacific hosted a well-attended side event to launch Oceania Sign of common meteorological terms that will be used as resources in the Pacific region to enhance the ability of deaf people to prepare and respond better to hazards.1 Silent No More Inclusive Sign Language for EWS & DRR