Event Title
UNO-CHART Risk Literacy Manual
Collaborator(s)
Kyle Griffith
Faculty Sponsor
Pam Jenkins
Submission Type
Poster
Description
The central purpose of the UNO Center for Hazards Assessment, Response and Technology's (UNO-CHART) Risk Literacy Manual is to engage all residents of the disaster-prone Gulf Coast with vital disaster mitigation skills. The various versions of the Risk Literacy Manual address the importance of making this life-saving information accessible to residents of all reading levels, making it a tool for teaching risk and reading skills together. Included in the manual is a take-home guide with disaster supply checklists and other disaster planning guides. / / The main research methodology for the Risk Literacy Manual project was user feedback. The research team worked with English As A Second Language (ESL) and Adult Literacy user groups to develop the text and graphics, ensuring that the manual was tailored to fit the needs of all the valued residents of the Gulf Coast. Because of this process, the manual's content developed along the way, adapting to the feedback from each user group session. / / In conclusion, the Risk Literacy project has brought CHART closer to understanding the needs of residents of differing reading levels, and CHART has remained aware of those needs while developing the manual. Participants in the ESL user groups responded to the manual, strengthening their English-language skills while at the same time learning valuable risk information. Readers have also responded positively to the take-home guide, which will become a real resource for these readers and their families in the event of a natural disaster.
UNO-CHART Risk Literacy Manual
The central purpose of the UNO Center for Hazards Assessment, Response and Technology's (UNO-CHART) Risk Literacy Manual is to engage all residents of the disaster-prone Gulf Coast with vital disaster mitigation skills. The various versions of the Risk Literacy Manual address the importance of making this life-saving information accessible to residents of all reading levels, making it a tool for teaching risk and reading skills together. Included in the manual is a take-home guide with disaster supply checklists and other disaster planning guides. / / The main research methodology for the Risk Literacy Manual project was user feedback. The research team worked with English As A Second Language (ESL) and Adult Literacy user groups to develop the text and graphics, ensuring that the manual was tailored to fit the needs of all the valued residents of the Gulf Coast. Because of this process, the manual's content developed along the way, adapting to the feedback from each user group session. / / In conclusion, the Risk Literacy project has brought CHART closer to understanding the needs of residents of differing reading levels, and CHART has remained aware of those needs while developing the manual. Participants in the ESL user groups responded to the manual, strengthening their English-language skills while at the same time learning valuable risk information. Readers have also responded positively to the take-home guide, which will become a real resource for these readers and their families in the event of a natural disaster.