Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing University Student Experiences With Earthquake Early Warning in the United States: Evaluating Language Planning and Technology Access
Description:
Growing literature on deaf and hard of hearing (DHH+) populations and disasters demonstrates that emergency communication (including alerts) is not reaching global DHH+ communities with dangerous impacts for morbidity and mortality. This is the first research study in the U.S. to explore the experiences of DHH+ persons with earthquake early warning (EEW) through qualitative analysis of group-based dialogue sessions. The study investigates eight DHH+ university students’ past earthquake experiences, access to EEW alerts, and perceptions of ShakeAlertⓇ, an EEW system for detecting earthquakes and alerting residents of California, Oregon, and Washington. Findings highlight key gaps in accessibility of disaster alerts within four thematic areas: lack of messaging in participants’ language(s), unclear alert messaging, inaccessible message delivery for deafblind persons, and insufficient access to earthquake information and training that leads to dependence on informal information networks. Weaknesses identified in these four themes reduces the trust of DHH+ in EEW systems and compromises the capacity of alert recipients either to take swift protective action or to mentally prepare before shaking starts. The study also underscores structural factors, such as insufficient linguistic representation in disaster language planning and technology design, which marginalizes DHH+ individuals by excluding their linguistic and sensory access needs. Building on disaster language planning frameworks, we recommend co-development of inclusive EEW alerts with DHH+ communities. By centering DHH+ perspectives and linguistic expertise, this research contributes to ongoing efforts to ensure that EEW systems reach all populations at increased risk due to information deprivation.
Session: Advancing Earthquake Early Warning: Science, Technology and Engagement in the U.S. and Beyond - III
Type: Oral
Date: 4/16/2026
Presentation Time: 03:00 PM (local time)
Presenting Author: Sara K. McBride
Student Presenter: No
Invited Presentation:
Poster Number:
Authors
Audrey Cooper audrey.cooper@gallaudet.edu Gallaudet University |
Kota Takayama kota.takayama@gallaudet.edu Gallaudet University |
Michele Cooke Corresponding Author cooke@umass.edu University of Massachusetts Amherst |
Oronde Drakes odrakes@usgs.gov U.S. Geological Survey |
Danielle Sumy dsumy@nsf.gov National Science Foundation |
Sara McBride Presenting Author sara.mcbride@caloes.ca.gov California Seismic Safety Commission |
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Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing University Student Experiences With Earthquake Early Warning in the United States: Evaluating Language Planning and Technology Access
Category
Advancing Earthquake Early Warning: Science, Technology and Engagement in the U.S. and Beyond