The Knox/East Tennessee Healthcare Coalition (KETHC) serves a diverse population, including individuals with Access and Functional Needs (AFN). Among these populations, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing often face significant communication barriers during emergencies and disasters.
First responders and medical personnel must make rapid decisions in high-stress environments, yet communication challenges can delay care, create confusion, and impact patient outcomes. While resources and partnerships exist, gaps remained in providing responders with simple, effective tools to communicate with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing in real-time incident settings.
In partnership with the SAFE Group (Securing Accessibility For Emergencies), KETHC has taken a proactive approach to address these challenges and improve inclusive response capabilities.
Building on previous initiatives such as the Emergency Mobility Trailer and ADA education for responders, the coalition collaborated to develop communication cards designed specifically to support interactions with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
These cards provide clear, easy-to-use visual and written prompts that allow responders and healthcare personnel to quickly exchange critical information during emergencies. The cards are being distributed across the region to:
- First responders (EMS, fire, law enforcement)
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Coalition partner agencies
This initiative was further strengthened through collaboration with ADA Coordinators from the City of Knoxville and Knox County, ensuring the tools are practical, accessible, and aligned with community needs.
Improving communication improves outcomes. The introduction of communication cards enhances the ability of responders and healthcare providers to deliver timely, effective, and equitable care to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
This initiative strengthens the Healthcare Coalition by increasing awareness and capability in serving AFN populations, expanding inclusive preparedness efforts, and reinforcing partnerships with advocacy groups and local government. It also builds responder confidence by providing simple, deployable tools that can be used immediately in the field without the need for specialized equipment or technology.
For the broader community, this effort demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that vulnerable populations are not overlooked during emergencies. By reducing communication barriers, KETHC and its partners are improving patient safety, enhancing trust, and promoting a more inclusive response system.
Collectively, this work supports Healthcare Preparedness Program (HPP) priorities by strengthening community resilience, improving coordination across disciplines, addressing functional needs in disaster planning, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of emergency response.
