In the face of worsening climate conditions, disaster preparedness has become a national priority. However, one group remains largely overlooked in Jamaica’s emergency response strategies—the d/Deaf community. Without accessible communication channels, countless individuals are left in the dark when disaster strikes.
Despite frequent hurricanes, floods, and extreme heat waves, emergency alerts are still overwhelmingly designed for those who can hear. Government warnings, radio broadcasts, and televised news updates rarely include Jamaican Sign Language (JSL) interpretation, leaving d/Deaf individuals reliant on family members or neighbors to relay urgent information—if they are even present.
Jamaica has made strides in inclusivity, but accessibility in disaster response remains inadequate. While parliamentary proceedings sometimes feature sign language interpretation, major television stations have yet to make this a standard practice for emergency broadcasts. This gap creates a dangerous reality: when evacuation orders are issued, shelters designated for disaster relief lack sign language support, and many d/Deaf Jamaicans are left uncertain about when, where, or how to seek safety.
Beyond immediate communication barriers, a deeper issue persists—authorities lack precise data on where d/Deaf individuals reside. In the chaos of a disaster, emergency responders rely on verbal calls for assistance. Without a system in place to account for those who cannot hear, d/Deaf individuals face an increased risk of being stranded or left behind.
For a country prone to climate disasters, ensuring equal access to emergency information is not optional—it is a matter of life and death. Until Jamaica prioritizes inclusive disaster communication, its d/Deaf population will remain one of the most vulnerable in times of crisis.
