Project Description:
Objective 3.06: Project REDD: Research and Education in Disaster and Disabilities
Project REDD 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. Demographic differences have been reported to shape the risks that people encounter, how they prepare for disasters, and how people are affected when disasters occur (Mileti, 1999). Hemingway and Priestley (2006) suggest that people with disabilities "are disproportionately vulnerable to natural hazards primarily as a consequence of social disadvantage, poverty, and structural exclusion." (p. 54). However, few researchers have systematically studied the physical and social impacts of disaster on individuals with disabilities.
The Mission of Project REDD is to 1) conduct high-quality basic research and evaluation studies 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 is engaged in continuing research on the case management and long term recovery of Hurricane Katrina survivors with disabilities. In addition, researchers with Project REDD are studying the experiences of individuals with disabilities sheltered in the general population during Hurricane Ike.
Project REDD has collaborated with a broad range of other academic and research entities in investigating issues of critical importance to individuals with disabilities affected by disaster including long-term recovery, case management, sheltering, and preparedness. Past and current collaborations have included researchers from the University of Texas Southwest Medical School, National Center on Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, the Independent Living Research Utilization Center at The Institution for Rehabilitation ResearchMemorial Hermann Hospital, and the University of Texas School of Social Work, as well as other organizations. Project REDD has also established linkages with other UCEDDs who conduct disaster research including researchers at the University of New Mexico, Utah State University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Wyoming and collaborates with these partners in research presentations with these partners at the annual meeting of the American Association of University Centers on Disabilities. Project REDD staff regularly present research professional conferences and venues including at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, TASH: Disability Worldwide, Council for Exceptional Children, Disaster Education in Disaster Mental Health, American Association on Health and Disabilities, and at the Natural Hazards Center at Texas A&M University.
Project REDD provides training for consumers and service providers to assist with disaster recovery. Workshops have been presented at the Texas Homeland Security Conference, Texas Hurricane Conference, Texas Nursing Association, Houston Voluntary Agencies for Disasters, Brazos Valley Caregiver's Association, and at the Texas State Voluntary Agencies on Disaster Conference. Project REDD has collaborated with Texas Interagency Interfaith Disaster Response to train Katrina Aid Today case workers in Texas on disability-related services in the state.
Project REDD maintains 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 regularly communicates 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, and the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
Project REDD, with direct support from the Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University, has produced two resource guides; the Disaster Acronym Guide and the ?exas Guide to Supports and Services for Individuals with Disabilities and Their Families Affected by Disasters and disseminated over 8,000 of these resources throughout the state as well as nationally to other organizations providing disaster-related services to individuals with disabilities.
Funding for Project REDD has come from a range of public and private sources including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Association of University Centers on Disability, and the National Disability Rights Network.
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:
Single-County, Mulit-County, State, Regional, National, International
