3.5 Project REDD: Research and Education on Disaster and Disability
Project Description:
Project REDD (Research and Education in Disaster and Disabilities) was created in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in response to the overwhelming need of the over 400,000 individuals with disabilities that were displaced to the State of Texas following these disasters. The Mission of Project REDD is to 1) conduct high-quality research and evaluation on the issue of disaster and its affects on individuals with disabilities and their families, and 2) provide research-based training and outreach on the topic of disability and disaster for communities, organizations, families, and individuals.
Project REDD conducts basic research on the affects of disaster on individuals with disabilities, as well as evaluation research on projects that deliver direct services to these individuals. In collaboration with the Disaster Research Education Mentoring Program at Dartmouth College, Project REDD collaborates with other researchers exploring psychological constructs related to the affects of disaster. Project REDD also provides training for consumers and service providers to assist with disaster recovery.
Project REDD has produced two resource guides; the 'Disaster Acronym Guide' and the 'Texas Guide to supports and Services for Individuals with Disabilities and Their Families Affected by Disasters' and disseminates these resources throughout the state and to other organizations providing disaster-related services to individuals with disabilities.
Project REDD will maintain a presence in the Texas disaster community by serving as a resource to agencies and organizations from the local level to the national level. Project REDD maintains communication with the Texas Governor's Office, Advocacy Inc., the Disability Policy Consortium, Texas Interagency Interfaith Disaster Response, Central Texas Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster, Gulf Coast Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster, the University of Texas School of Social Work, the National Center on Post Traumatic Stress Disaster, the University of Texas Southwest Medical School, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, the Independent Living Research Utilization center at The Institution for Rehabilitation Research Memorial Hermann Hospital, and the American Association on Health and Disabilities as well as other organizations.
Project REDD will establish linkages with other UCEDDs who are also conducting research in this area including those at the University of New Mexico, the University of Kansas, and Utah State University, and collaborated in a workshop presentation with the Commissioner of ADD, Patricia Morrissey, as well as several other UCEDDs, at the annual AUCD meeting.
Keyword(s):
disaster research, emergency management
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Quality of Life
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban, Other
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Another State, Single-County, Mulit-County, State, Regional, National, International
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
