Episode 6: COVID, the vaccines, and the deaf and hard of hearing

We have previously discussed racially-equitable access to the COVID vaccines with Reverend Diann Holt in Episode 3. However, one population that often gets overlooked is the deaf and hard of hearing population. We are joined by FEMA Regional Disability Integration Specialist Philip "PJ" Mattiachi, who is deaf and communicates in American Sign Language. PJ is joined by Vivian Ayalón Rivera, a civil rights attorney with FEMA dedicated to ensuring equitable access to the COVID vaccines for the deaf and hard of hearing. They discuss the barriers that the deaf and hard of hearing community specifically face in their journey to be vaccinated against COVID.

Music credits (Pixabay):

1. Freeze my soul - DreamHeaven

2. What u Thinkin - Wataboi