Disaster Management Learning Activity

This learning activity was created for a disaster preparedness and response course in the MSW program at Samford University.

Disaster Preparedness for Vulnerable Populations

Task Description: You will work with your assigned team to:

1. Post the following on your group page in Canvas:
   1. Summarize and evaluate the disaster preparedness recommendations of the EMA for your assigned topic (https://ema.alabama.gov).
   2. Create a written description of the vulnerable population you have been assigned to study (assignments are posted on the groups page).
      1. Include estimated numbers of affected people. While each student is encouraged to explore their own geographic profile, groups should pick one representative student from the group, using their geographic profile, in order to focus research on their:
         1. Local area (city/town)
         2. State
         3. Nation
      2. Describe the vulnerable population’s typical demographic characteristics (age, race, gender, income level, average educational levels)
2. List the possible risk factors that typically collaborate to result in this vulnerability in people.
3. Describe the consequences of this vulnerability, for example: reduced access to health care, education, or personal safety; reduced nutritional status; difficulty obtaining employment, discrimination, etc. This list is not exhaustive. Take care to learn about the disadvantages specific to your population.
4. Name the agencies or individuals who usually have access to and/or serve this population
5. Using the EMA disaster preparedness directions that you have researched as a model, customize the recommendations to meet the needs of your assigned population. Use your customized disaster preparedness recommendations to educate the members of this vulnerable group and/or those agencies or individuals who might have access to and/or serve this population. Any special accommodations necessary for this population should be considered and addressed in each of the following requirements (all three are required):
   1. Produce a flyer to summarize the recommendations for this group in the case of this specific emergency. Upload your PDF flyer to Canvas. If a written flyer would not be an ideal way to communicate with the population, comments to that effect should be attached to the upload and the agencies or individuals being targeted by the flyer (in lieu of the vulnerable individuals) should be noted.
   2. Produce a video that explains the disaster preparedness recommendations for your vulnerable population. The video format is your choice; examples include: voice-over or text only while using PowerPoint or video footage, one or more on-screen announcers, or animated video. You may wish to use a style that is more like a documentary (describing the situation) or more expository (explaining and making a case based on your research). Upload your video project to your group page on Canvas. If a video would not be an ideal way to communicate with the population, comments to that effect should be attached to the upload and the agencies or individuals being targeted by the flyer (in lieu of the vulnerable individuals) should be noted.
   3. Compose a tweet for Twitter. Must be less than 140 characters, be sure to include the agencies or individuals that you would want to tag via an @ mention or target via hashtags. Optional: you may create an image to post along with your tweet (like an infographic or an appropriate image). https://help.twitter.com/en/using-twitter/tweeting-gifs-and-pictures. Upload your Tweet text and/or photo to our group Canvas page. If Twitter would not be an ideal way to communicate with the population, comments to that effect should be attached to the upload and the agencies or individuals being targeted by the flyer (in lieu of the vulnerable individuals) should be noted.

Rubric

Image Copyright: lindaparton / 123RF Stock Photo