As Spokane County battles multiple wildfires, Beyond Access examines emergency communication for Deaf and DeafBlind residents.
As multiple wildfires continue burning across Spokane County, thousands of acres have been consumed, evacuation orders have been issued, and emergency responders have worked around the clock to protect lives and property. For many residents, the first concern is whether they need to evacuate.
For Deaf and DeafBlind residents, another question follows.
How do they receive that information as it unfolds?
Emergency communication has evolved significantly over the past decade. Wireless Emergency Alerts, text messages, social media, television broadcasts, county websites, and smartphone applications all play important roles in keeping the public informed.
One resource that has become increasingly valuable during wildfire season is Watch Duty, a nonprofit organization that provides real time wildfire maps, evacuation zones, incident reports, and push notifications through its mobile application. Because it relies heavily on visual information and timely notifications, many Deaf users have found it to be a valuable tool for monitoring rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Yet emergency communication extends beyond alerts on a phone.
As elected officials declared a state of emergency in Spokane County, residents also turned to the Spokane County Board of Commissioners’ public meeting livestream for updates. During the YouTube broadcast reviewed by Beyond Access, no American Sign Language interpreter was visible while county officials discussed the emergency declaration and response.
That observation raises an important question.
How does Spokane County ensure Deaf and DeafBlind residents receive critical emergency information in real time when public officials address the community during a crisis?
This question is not intended to criticize firefighters, emergency managers, or public officials working under extraordinary circumstances. Responding to fast moving wildfires is an enormous responsibility. Instead, it is an opportunity to examine whether accessibility has been fully integrated into emergency preparedness planning.
The National Association of the Deaf has long emphasized that emergency communication must be accessible to Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. In its position statement on accessible emergency management, the organization calls for qualified American Sign Language interpreters during emergency briefings, accessible alert systems, and proactive planning to ensure communication access before disasters occur. The NAD stresses that accessibility should be incorporated into emergency planning, not added after a crisis has already begun.
For many Deaf residents, access is not simply a convenience. It can influence how quickly someone understands evacuation orders, road closures, shelter information, or changing fire conditions. For DeafBlind residents, communication may involve additional accommodations beyond visual alerts, making advance planning even more critical.
Emergency preparedness is often measured by response times, available resources, and coordination among agencies.
Accessibility should be measured with the same level of importance.
Beyond Access contacted Spokane County Commissioner Al French, additional members of the Spokane County Board of Commissioners, and county officials asking why no visible American Sign Language interpreter appeared during the emergency declaration livestream. We also asked how Spokane County ensures Deaf and DeafBlind residents receive life saving emergency information in real time and whether ASL interpretation is part of the county’s emergency communication strategy.
At the time of publication, Beyond Access had not received a response. Any responses received will be incorporated into this story as an update.
As Spokane County continues responding to these wildfires, one question remains.
When every second matters, is emergency information reaching every member of the community equally?
Further Reading
National Association of the Deaf
Position Statement on AccessibleEmergency Management for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
Watch Duty
https://www.watchduty.org
