When sounds of war can't be heard

For thousands of Ukrainians who are deaf or hard of hearing, some of the war's danger signals can seem nonexistent. A U.S.-based nonprofit is providing them with tools to stay safe and alert.

Hi, it's Julius with an update on the war in Ukraine.

Off-The-Grid Missions is providing people in that community with solar-powered lights, cellphone chargers and drinking-water filters. The group also provides evacuations run exclusively by people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

"When a hearing person says to people, 'Go, go, go,' Deaf people miss this small window of opportunity to flee," Off-The-Grid founder Angela Maria Nardolillo told Paste BN. "Deaf are the first to get cut off from vital information and the last to get help."

The company's presence in Ukraine reflects a growing understanding among those involved in disaster response about the unique needs of people with disabilities. 

Nardolillo, a veteran of dozens of disaster rescues worldwide, said solar-powered lights and cellphone chargers help because they allow people who rely on sign language or reading lips to video call friends and family for assistance, including after dark. 

The nonprofit has also developed an online information-sharing system to warn those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing about Russian attacks and to show them how to find bomb shelters and evacuation routes.

"With emergency-related information changing quickly, by the time a Deaf or hard-of-hearing person receives that vital information, it is too late because that information has changed and the limited resources have already run out," Nardolillo said.

Continue on for more updates from Ukraine 👇