UCEDD, One Marianas push for better assistance for people with disabilities

It’s an effort to train first responders and community members to provide efficient service to help those with special needs in case of a natural disaster; and according to University Center in Excellence for Developmental Disabilities’ Eileen Babauta it’s an effort they and their partners take seriously.

Currently in case of a disaster, Babauta said there are not a lot of protocols or universal strategies placed in bringing efficient help for community members with developmental disabilities.

She actually was dismayed to hear personal stories from several individuals with special needs that they were stuck in their homes during natural disasters like Yutu and Sodelour and were unable to get help post-disaster, especially when they lived in isolated locations.

“Coming back home from Seattle, Washington I didn’t experience Yutu, I didn’t experience COVID-19 here, it was all stateside, but I was traveling in the midst of all of that, and I did recognize that there was a lack of support for our people with disabilities. And as I returned home, and started working, I started hearing these stories, and I would ask them ‘what happened with you during these times?’ and that they would say that they couldn’t get to the hospital, they couldn’t get to stores, they couldn’t get to where they needed to go, because the [Commonwealth Office Transit Authority] vans were used for something else. So, it was like they prioritized another project, other than helping our people with developmental disabilities. And so, for me that was concerning.”

Babauta added that it became really apparent that all first responders needed more training in either the American Sign Language, accessibility, and assistive technology to be able to help with communicating with people with disabilities during disasters or emergencies.

To address these needs, Babauta shared that UCEDD, along with their partners like One Marianas, CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities, Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems Inc., and members of the Division of Youth Services began working on bringing special training to CNMI frontliners and community servants.

The effort resulted in the most recent Emergency Management Functional Access Disability Awareness Training that took place from April 25 to 26 at the Kagman Community Center and the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.

“This training is called the Emergency Management Function and Access Disability Awareness Training and it focused on the target audience, which are first responders, stakeholders, interested community members, and our partners. It deals a lot with providing training on accessibility functions and access based on the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as introducing ASL.”

Niagara University of Emergency Management and Disability Awareness Training’s Vicky Davidson specially flew in for the training and during her two days on island taught various aspects of disability awareness, communication strategies, accessibility considerations, and best practices for providing assistance to individuals with diverse needs.

With the tight funding and the high cost to send representatives for training, Babauta said it made more sense to fly Davidson out to Saipan for the sessions.

“I felt that instead of one person going to the EMDAT training, best to bring a trainer here, and train X amount of people who are able to show up.”

Babauta shared that she was pleased and grateful to see the response from government agencies, frontliners, and emergency teams that wanted to be a part of the training and learn how to be more inclusive and provide better access for those with special needs especially in crisis.

The sessions were packed to the brim, with representatives from 38 agencies across the CNMI and even some individuals from Guam and Hawaii joining.

Babauta said the work isn’t done yet and they are already planning to have several more sessions to better equip frontliners and civil servants to help those with special needs efficiently.

“In times of crisis, every second counts, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that no member of our community is left behind. By enhancing our understanding of disability awareness and emergency management techniques, we not only fulfill our duty to serve and protect but also uphold the principles of inclusivity and accessibility that are at the heart of our society.”