Every year, bushfires, floods and other extreme weather events affect thousands of Victorians in the Melbourne metropolitan region, regional centres and rural areas. The Victorian emergency services work hard to educate the community about different natural hazard risks, how to decide when to leave safely, and how to understand warning and evacuation systems. However, most of this information is in written or spoken English. This means that deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing Victorians who cannot rely on spoken English or whose first language is Auslan are often the last to know. The Deaf Emergency Information resource brings important information together in one place, in Auslan and in written English. If you are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing, this website will help you to:
• Understand the different natural hazards experienced by Victorians every year;
• Learn from the experiences of other people in the community;
• Understand how to watch and act so you can take responsibility for your own safety;
• Learn how to prepare, respond and recover from natural hazard events in your area;
• Understand how emergency services work together.
This website is also available offline formats. Contact us for a copy.
Ackowledgements
Funding and support
With thanks to the State Government of Victoria for funding Vicdeaf to develop the Deaf Emergency Information resources, with support from Emergency Management Victoria, the Country Fire Authority, the Victoria State Emergency Service, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Better Health Channel.
Grateful thanks to the Gippsland deaf community including Peter Adams, Louise Bartheyl, Jennifer Bradley Smith, Peter Busch, John Cole, Peter Harris, Frank Loftus, Jeanette Loftus, Julie Patterson, Keith Patterson, Jessica Payne, David Rice, Matthew Tantaro and Sammy Tantaro.
Authorisation
Authorised by the State Government of Victoria, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.
Disclaimer
This work has been compiled from a variety of sources including material generally available on the public record, reputable specialist sources and original material. Care has been taken to verify accuracy and reliability wherever possible. However, the material does not provide professional advice. Regional Development Victoria does not give any warranty or accept any liability concerning the contents of this work
About Expression Australia
Our Vision
Our clients and our community live in an accessible, inclusive society with equal opportunity in all areas of life.
Our Mission
We are a progressive, iconic community organisation that:
• Builds pride in being Deaf
• Improves social, economic, cultural and civic participation
• Supports people to communicate and connect with the world
• Advocates and promotes the aspirations of those we serve
Expression Australia (formerly Vicdeaf and Tasdeaf) is a not for profit organisation established in 1884 and is the primary source of reference, referral, advice and support for deaf and hard of hearing people, their support networks and service providers. The re-brand to Expression Australia was subsequent to the completion of this project.
Visit our website www.expression.com.au