Virtual session: Disabilities in disasters and the resolute resistors

Nov. 23, 2023

Individuals with disabilities are often disproportionately affected by a disaster; likewise, no two disabilities or vulnerable populations are alike and should not be treated the same way. In this presentation on Dec. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., guest speaker Daryl P. Schaffer will review what individuals with disabilities may need before, during, or after a disaster as well as what they can give back to some professional emergency career fields.

Registration for the Zoom session now closed..

Spotlight on the UA student presenter

With a master’s degree in both Human Resource Management and Security and Disaster Management, Daryl P. Schaffer is currently a Natural Resources and Sustainability Ph.D. student concentrating on disaster management at the University of ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ Fairbanks. After nearly 31 years of service, Schaffer retired as a U.S. Coast Guard Captain in 2021; serving the last four years after becoming disabled from a cerebellar stroke and traumatic brain injury. In 2019, Schaffer participated in the Department of Defense Warrior Games with more than 300 other wounded military athletes. With over 40 years of emergency management experience, Schaffer has been certified as an Incident Command System Type-1 Logistics Section Chief, Type-3 Incident Commander, and Type-3 Planning Section Chief. Schaffer also served as a Unified Commander during the Hurricane Katrina response.

Over the past two years, Schaffer has used this blended background to speak at a dozen regional, national, and international conferences on the interaction between disasters and individuals with disabilities. Living in on-campus ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ housing, Schaffer and his wife experienced the incredible winter of 2021-22 and nearby wildfires in the summer of 2022; the closeness of nature with moose climbing their front steps; red fox trotting down the road; ravens, sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans soaring aloft; and running at -34F with Running Club North. Schaffer is grateful for this opportunity to present some of his current work to UA colleagues across the state – all are welcome!

Virtual Disability Services Coffee Chats | 8:30 am

The morning after each series presentation, staff and faculty can ‘Zoom’ with DS in an informal virtual gathering centered around coffee, conversation, and constructive solutions. DS Coffee Chats are not recorded.

  • 2023-2024 Upcoming DS Coffee Chat Links
    • Dec 6; ,,, April 2024 TBD

Thank you for your consideration and participation -- we look forward to 'seeing' you soon!