As climate change intensifies, marginalised communities continue to face disproportionate challenges. Among those often overlooked are Jamaica’s d/Deaf people, who struggle with inaccessible disaster warnings and emergency response measures, as well as climate adaptation strategies that exclude them.
Despite the increasing frequency of natural disasters like hurricanes, flooding due to prolonged rainy seasons, extreme heat, and rising sea levels, emergency communications in Jamaica largely remain inaccessible to the d/Deaf. Without inclusive policies, they are left vulnerable to extreme weather events, cut off from vital information that could save their lives.
Climate Injustice and the d/Deaf Community
Although the House of Parliament provides sign language interpretation, and the government occasionally employs Jamaican Sign Language (JSL) interpreters for televised broadcasts, none of Jamaica’s TV stations have fully embraced this concept. National TV newscasts, public alerts and emergency broadcasts still lack JSL interpretation, leaving individuals dependent on hearing neighbours or family members for critical updates. This systemic exclusion places the d/Deaf at a dangerous disadvantage.
Kimberley Sherlock Marriott-Blake, Executive Director, Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD), highlights this disparity:
“We have been working to provide support in Jamaican Sign Language through our grammar curriculum, but, as a country, we still have not ensured media broadcasts and emergency preparedness programs are, in fact, accessible. Particularly in the hurricane season—the level of support made available to the [d/Deaf] community is still not where we would like it to be. If a d/Deaf person presents at a shelter, there is inadequate support. If people need to evacuate, there is inadequate information getting to them in good time, so they can evacuate their space, know where they’re going and how to get there if buses are being provided.”
Beyond the gaps in communication, Marriott-Blake stresses the importance of up-to-date population data to aid emergency response:
“If we are in a situation where there is significant rubble and you are shouting things like, ‘If you can hear me, make a sound!’ People in the d/Deaf community can’t hear you. So having a general idea of where [they are] is extremely helpful.”
For many, social media is a lifeline. A male respondent from JAD explains:
“We depend on social media… but there are some d/Deaf people who do not have access to [cellular] data [plans], so it’s best to send general updates about the weather through SMS.”
Beyond media inaccessibility, disaster preparedness itself remains a challenge for many in the d/Deaf community.
Disaster Preparedness and the d/Deaf Experience
Emergency shelters remain an enigma for many d/Deaf people. As a female JAD respondent shares:
“I am not aware of emergency shelters, where they are located or what is to be carried. The emergency contact numbers cannot be used independently by the d/Deaf as [we] cannot hear. There needs to be text lines.”
Another respondent agrees:
“I have never been to a shelter, nor do I know anyone who has, in fact, I’m not sure of how the shelter process works.”
Damany Hughes, a dance student at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, reflects on the broader challenges of living as a d/Deaf person in a hearing society: “Being d/Deaf can present a range of challenges and experiences, many of which stem from societal norms and systems that prioritise hearing.”
Bridging the Accessibility Gap
Inclusion begins with communication, so accessible climate reporting and disaster preparedness must prioritise the d/Deaf to foster true resilience. Hughes underscores the value of targeted training:
“JSL training on inclusive climate reporting for journalists and weather forecasters would equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to assist others in their communities during emergencies, [along with] real-time sign language interpretation, closed captioning and subtitles to foster a more self-reliant and cohesive society.”
He also stresses the importance of disaster preparedness at the community level:
“Without accessible training, d/Deaf people may not receive important emergency information, which can be life-threatening in the event of a disaster. Providing disaster preparedness training in Jamaican Sign Language would ensure the d/Deaf community understands evacuation procedures, emergency response protocols, and how to access support during crises.”
Structural improvements in disaster relief services are also essential. Marriott-Blake notes the need for tailored care packages that consider the unique needs of d/Deaf families:
“Ensuring the content provides relevant support is crucial. Many d/Deaf individuals also have other disabilities, meaning their physical or health-related needs must be considered. E.g. the food given being in a format that is accessible and easy to digest, [and lighting] as d/Deaf persons require visual support to ensure communication can continue in sign. Ensuring relief is made available in a way that is clear and accessible aids in resilience for people with disabilities, so they can feel like the support given is provided with them in mind.”
One inspiring example of this adaptability occurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, when local citizens and a sign language interpreter ensured d/Deaf individuals received solar-powered lights, allowing for critical communication to continue at night.
The fight for climate justice is not just about the environment—it is about protecting people. Advocating for JSL interpreters at emergency shelters, improved visual alerts, and SMS-based weather updates can bridge the accessibility gap that puts lives at risk.
Building Resilience for All
Organisations like JAD are leading the charge, equipping students with requisite skills to navigate a ‘hearing world’ while pushing for their inclusion in national climate policies.
Marriott-Blake poignantly reminds us:
“The reality is that storms will come, disasters will happen. And we are still struggling to ensure relief can be made accessible.”
Practical solutions are within reach, one JAD (male) respondent suggests:
“It is best that the Government uses JSL interpreters that speak directly to the community when updates are being given. Also, updates can be sent to JAD, which will then broadcast it to the d/Deaf community.”
Despite rising awareness of disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction (DiDRR), there is no country worldwide that has fully integrated d/Deaf people into its disaster response and climate adaptation programs. Findings from seven countries reveal that while some have implemented early warning systems with visual and text-based alerts, significant barriers persist in emergency communication and shelter accessibility (Inclusive Futures). Limited training for first responders and inadequate sign language interpretation at evacuation sites leave d/Deaf people reliant on informal networks for survival.
Without targeted policies and consistent implementation, d/Deaf communities globally will continue to face disproportionate risks during climate-related disasters—an injustice that must be urgently addressed. Climate justice is disability justice—and only through inclusivity can true resilience be achieved. By embracing inclusive policies and recognising the needs of everyone, hearing and d/Deaf, Jamaica has an opportunity to set a global standard for equitable climate action.
—
This story was originally published by Jamaica Observer, with the support of the Caribbean Climate Justice Journalism Fellowship, a joint venture between Climate Tracker Caribbean and Open Society Foundations.
