The Challenge: A Message Unheard
KP Adhikary, President of the National Federation of the Deaf Nepal (NDFN), regularly watches the disaster preparedness videos disseminated by NDRRMA. But he doesn't listen; he reads the subtitles, because he is deaf. He appreciates the subtitles, but he is instantly aware of a bitter reality: these messages, while well-intentioned, will not reach most of his fellow deaf Nepalis.
"The proportion of the deaf who are not educated and therefore can't read is much higher than those who can. Even those who can make out the text don't understand the meaning. Hence, they're deprived of important messages about natural disasters."
- KP Adhikary, President, NDFN
The Solution: Embedding Sign Language
Recognizing this critical information gap, NDFN collaborated with PARC to embed sign language directly into two NDRRMA videos—one about lightning risks and another about snakebites—and shared them via social media. The goal was simple: to make life-saving information accessible to a community that is often left behind.
The Overwhelming Impact: A Ripple Effect
The response was immediate and overwhelming. The video on lightning received more than 30,000 views on Facebook, but as Mr. Adhikary explained, the true reach was far greater. He noted that deaf individuals often share videos privately and watch together in groups on a single phone. With over 40 district associations sharing the videos through their own networks, the content reached a significant portion of Nepal's deaf population.
"Effectively, we believe that both these videos have reached a significant portion of Nepal's deaf population. This is a very effective and powerful impact that these videos have made."
- KP Adhikary, President, NDFN
Conclusion: Access to Information as a Core Right
Mr. Adhikary stresses why deaf individuals are at high risk during disasters: it's not a physical limitation, but a lack of access to information. This project underscores a crucial requirement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): ensuring access to information for people of all abilities is a core agenda. By embedding sign language, PARC and NDFN demonstrated a powerful and effective model for inclusive communication that directly protects and empowers a vulnerable community.
