I like so many other broadcast meteorologists started out reporting part-time and covering the weekend shows. While on one of the many dreaded general reporting days I was sent to a county-wide press conference on some of the first COVID cases in the region.

While there I found myself watching the ASL interpreter, taking care to make sure everyone in our region knew the dangers. This was just days after a deadly storm ripped through that same area. From that point onward I couldn’t shake the question from my mind, ‘why don’t we have the same precautions for the d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing in severe weather that we do for other community-wide hazards?’ From that question, this whole project was formed.

When dangerous weather strikes, access to time-sensitive information can save lives but for the d/Deaf and hard of hearing their safety is left up to chance. Closed captioning can be inaccurate and delayed while on-screen graphics leave out some of the most important information.  Broadcast meteorologists can close the gap by implementing less than 25 key American Sign Language phrases to emergent weather coverage while maintaining their original objectives.

With the help of a chapter of the association of the deaf, a licensed interpreter, and broadcast meteorologists 25 key phrases were identified as the most important for meteorologists to use during dangerous weather of all types ranging from tornados to hurricanes. The use of these simple phrases will help to keep communities of d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals informed when dangerous weather is near.

Key Phrases span from “emergency” and “take shelter now” through storm timing and specific hazards. Instructions on how to stay safe are also included in the formats that are most used in broadcasts so as to not disrupt the coverage already occurring.

By adding this communication tactic these communities can be reached and build viewer trust for demographics that may not be reached in all television markets.

So that maximum broadcasters can implement these phrases a step-by-step tutorial has been set up and uploaded to Youtube for easy reference by meteorologists across the country.

Improving accessibility within broadcasts will help to keep communities informed while growing viewer trust and loyalty.

I am going to start by diving in here… but there are so many communities left out when getting time-sensitive information out to the public. If you are working on EDI accommodations for broadcast meteorologists reach out so we can make sure that we continue to strive for safety for EVERYONE in our communities.