Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing State Services wants everyone to have tools for safe and effective communication in an emergency. Communication is crucial, and in an emergency situation when stress is high communication can be more challenging. 

If you need to communicate in an emergency situation, it is important that you remain calm. Identifying yourself as a person who is deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing may help keep you safe. Three ways you can identify yourself include:

1. Saying "I am deaf (or deafblind or hard of hearing)," 
2. Gesturing that you have hearing loss by pointing to your ear and shaking your head,
3. Showing the Communication card:
   • Communication card: I am deaf
   • Communication card: I am deafblind
   • Communication card: I am hard of hearing 
   • Communication card: I have hearing and vision loss

You can download the Communication card on your smartphone, print it at home or contact us and ask us to mail your preferred card to you. Consider keeping the paper card with your identification card, driver's license, tribal ID or passport.

Remember that local law enforcement and emergency responders are required to provide communication access under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The federal government provides communication access under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

For more information and resources on your rights to communication access, please contact us.