Training of operational forces

By project SEE ME staffPublished on 10 July 2023

The training of operational forces was held in Divulje, Croatia in the premises of the Civil Protection Directorate on 19 and 20 April 2023. The trainees were members of operational forces from Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro and the lecturers were representatives of the associations of the persons with disabilities and PwDs themselves.

Training of first responders on dealing with PwD — A training started with introduction session where participants were acquainted with SEE ME project and the importance of understanding challenges that people with disabilities in emergencies are facing with. For each type of disability (visual, hearing, intellectual, physical, mental and from autism specter), disability types and specific needs of the persons with disability type were presented, as well as strategies for communicating and evacuation techniques for people with disabilities.
The lecturers shared their own experiences and gave some real situation scenarios asking participants how will they react and treat the person with disability. During 2 days training the participants were given the insight into sign language, shared knowledge on how to approach and lead blind and visually impaired person, how to communicate with a person with intellectual disability and approach the child with autism spectrum disorder. They were also reminded that human dignity needs to be respected above all, especially when treating a person with mental disability.