Valley residents worried about cuts to DeafLink program
by Katie Lopez
February 21, 2011
Jennifer Powell’s hands are her key to the world.
Each and every day she uses them to communicate with people all over Texas.
Part of that communication is through the accessible hazard alert system.
These accessible alerts provide information related to ‘threats of life or
property’ on a 24/7 basis.
When these alerts land into Powell’s hands she immediately starts the phone
tree.
“It’s called the buddy system” Powell said. “I spread the information to
everyone in the deaf community—that’s how this system works.”
But as of January 31st that service, administered by the Texas Division of
Emergency Management, was cut off.
“I was shocked and very disappointed,” Powell said.
The Governor’s office claimed not enough people were signed up for the alert
system.
They said only four people in the Rio Grande Valley were taking part in the
program.
Powell said there is far more people than that who rely on this service—just
over 2,000 people from Roma to Brownsville.
“I’m disappointed that the governor was not aware that a few people signed
up but they represent the deaf community,” Powell said.
Powell said, while many cities offer a text messaging alert system and there
is close captioning on the television, it is not much help.
She said many people who are deaf cannot read or write past a third grade
level.
“They don’t understand what the captioning says,” Powell said. ”If the
interpreter isn’t on the television then they will not be aware.”
Powell said if they are not aware then they are put in a potentially deadly
situation.
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