Disaster Risk Management Training Simulation for People with Hearing Impairment: A Design and Implementation of ASL Assisted Model Using Virtual Reality

Disaster is the unforeseen and most of the time a sudden event that causes destruction, human suffering, great damage on property and economic losses. As described by the United Nation International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), the impact of disaster could be more than just a damage to property but may also result to physical and mental disabilities, and the worst effect of its impact can result to loss of life. Every person including persons with disability should be aware of any vulnerable and harmful condition that anyone may possibly place in. By proper planning and appropriate training to disaster management, the increasing risk and impact of disaster may be reduced. This study emphasizes on the design and implementation of ASL assisted simulated training on disaster risk management. This focuses on facilitating programs on disaster awareness, capacity building activities and real environment training for proper respond to disasters designed for people with hearing impairment. This study also aims to design an ASL assisted application that uses virtual reality technology to be able to simulate disaster drills and exercises to people with hearing impairment without exposing them to harmful conditions. The methods used to design and implement this study were qualitative approach to design and prototyping techniques.