May 7th: Providing assistance to persons with disabilities in emergencies – Online workshop co-organised with AccessibleEU

The purpose of this event is to exchange knowledge about inclusive assistance provided to persons with disabilities in emergency situations. Specifically, it aims to provide insight on good practices on emergency preparedness and protocols, needs and experiences of persons with disabilities in these events, and training needs of first responders, and emergency managers regarding how to assist people with disabilities. 

Target audience: Emergency managers, first responders and operators, persons with disabilities and their representatives, carers, public administrations, higher education institutions, and the general public.

Programme

Preliminary agenda

9:30 – 9:45 Welcome session. Chair: Jesús Hernández. Speakers:

  • Jesús Hernández, Director. AccessibleEU Centre
  •  European Commission: PENDING
  • Cristina Lumbreras, Technical Director. EENA

9:45-10:00 Keynote speech

  • Persons with disabilities: neglected people in emergency activities. Giampiero Griffo, European Disability Forum

10:00 – 11:15 Roundtable 1. Remote assistance in emergencies. Chair: Cristina Lumbreras, EENA. Speakers:

  • Accessibility in 112 – Freddie McBride, Director of Digital Communications Policy and Regulation. EENA.
  • Záchranka app – Filip Maleňák, Managing Director. Medical Information Technologies, sro.
  • Hard of Hearing people and emergencies. Lessons and good practice – Lidia Best, President. European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH). 

11:15-11:30 Q&A
11:30-13:00 Roundtable 2. Onsite assistance in emergencies. Chair: Paloma Cid, Fundación ONCE. Speakers:

  • Using pictograms to improve communication in emergencies – Lieutenant Colonel Emilio Verón. Guardia Civil.
  • Providing inclusive emergency shelter in international emergencies: The RescEU Shelter programme – Elena Giral, RescEU Shelter Programme Coordinator. European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, European Commission.
  • Inclusive co-creation of crisis plans and emergency kits– Linda Stjernholm. University of Lund.
  • Inclusive preparedness for emergency situations on cruise ships – Elsa DeGoias, Royal Caribbean Group.
  • Best practices in accessibility training for first responders and emergency management organisations (EMO) and departments – Marnie Peters, Accessibility Consultant. Accessibility Simplified.

13:00 – 13:15 Q&A
13:15 – 13:30 Closing remarks

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