Off-The-Grid Missions

Off-The-Grid Missions (OTG) is a Disaster Response Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) based in the United States, operating on an international level to provide humanitarian aid to Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, DeafBlind, and DeafDisabled (DHHDBDD) individuals around the world. We also serve Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and CODAs (children of deaf parents, a cultural identity). It’s crucial to note that there are over 1.5 billion people worldwide with hearing loss*, and among Disaster Response NGOs, OTG is the sole organization dedicated to DHHDBDD individuals. The organization’s name, “Off-The-Grid” refers to the remote and isolated geographical regions where humanitarian aid is least accessible. “Missions'' refers to the boots-on-the-ground, grassroots, and tactical approach in which the organization operates. The OTG “sign name” (name in sign language) is a combination of the signs used to represent disaster, chaos, immediate response, diversification, resilience, strength, and togetherness. Before a disaster strikes, individuals with hearing loss are the first to lose access to crucial information, such as evacuation protocols. Amidst the chaos of rapidly changing information where seconds are a matter of life and death, DHHDBDD people face the unique challenge of sign language interpreters not being on screen during evacuation alerts and there is an extreme lack of interpreters, especially qualified ones, and information delivered via text is not in sign language. Spoken languages (such as English and Spanish) and signed languages (such as American or Puerto Rican Sign Language) are distinct languages. Therefore, DHHDBDD individuals are left uninformed of what is happening, as well as where, when, or how to evacuate. Furthermore, a significant portion of the DHHDBDD population (at least 70% of children**) experience language deprivation syndrome, and this is worse for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). Also, elders who experience hearing loss later in life may not readily identify as “Deaf” or “Hard-of-Hearing” and often underestimate the importance of accessibility during crises. In the aftermath of a disaster, when the electrical grid is down, DHHDBDD people are the last to receive vital assistance as communications are limited to word-of-mouth and inaccessible audio-based tools such as hotline numbers, loudspeakers, and crank radios. Safety masks covering the mouth and nose, often used to prevent inhaling smoke and toxic debris from disasters, viruses, and warfare, create even greater communication barriers. DHHDBDD who are bedridden or reliant on mobility aids are left stranded when terrain is destroyed. At the forefront of crisis response, OTG swiftly transitions from disseminating intelligence to boots-on-the-ground action, deploying their Deaf-led “Frontlines” team equipped to address the most pressing needs in the affected area while laying the groundwork for long-term resilience. A diverse range of resources is distributed to DHHDBDD families, including solar lights, mobile charging units, hygiene supplies, menstrual products, diapers, non-perishable foods, temporary shelter, in addition to implementing clean water filtration systems. By ensuring a holistic approach that encompasses both immediate relief and sustainable solutions, OTG empowers DHHDBDD communities to withstand and recover from crises while preserving their dignity and selfsufficiency. Following the distribution of immediate aid, OTG launches accessible crisis training programs within the affected region to bolster long-term resilience. These programs equip local DHHDBDD volunteers with the necessary skills and additional shipments of aid to ensure that communities are better prepared to face future challenges independently. It is important to note that every year, OTG’s regions of focus change depending on the unpredictable nature of disasters/crises, and the response is contingent upon the type of disaster/crisis and community needs. However, the three-part response mission to save DHHDBDD lives remains the same.