Wow! What a busy week it was for the global Purple Vest! We held three important training sessions on accessibility in times of emergency for people with disabilities. These sessions were led by Shelly Rom, VP of International Affairs at Access Israel, who leads the global Purple Vest’s emergency programs.
✔ First training: Held for SERNATUR, the national tourism services in Chile. Tourism representatives from different regions of the country participated and learned about the importance of accessibility in emergencies, the unique challenges people with disabilities face, and tools to provide assistance. Tali, a blind woman, shared her personal story, highlighting the challenges she faced during the war that led her to leave the country for a couple of months. The training was praised by the organizers, noting that it enriched their knowledge and will help them act more effectively in emergencies.
✔ Second training: An international webinar focused on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities, with participants from Argentina, USA, Canada, Myanmar, Bahamas, Ghana, Austria, Spain, and more. Attendees learned about accessible evacuation for people with disabilities in emergencies. STEP HEAR , an assistive technology which helps people with visual disabilities navigate to emergency safe areas or exits, was also presented.
✔ Third training: Held for TRABAJO SOCIAL in Guatemala, an organization dedicated to accessibility and inclusion for people with visual and hearing disabilities. Teachers, managers, and volunteers learned about the importance of accessibility in emergencies and best practices. Eitan, a visually impaired man, shared his personal story, emphasizing the need for proper preparation and knowledge to cope optimally with emergency situations.
We are grateful to the Seneca Trust for the generous support that made all of this happen. and to all the speakers and participants for their time and contributions.
