FEMA's greatest challenge then is outreach. To promote equal access to disaster information, steps have been taken to provide extensive language assistance. Efforts have also been made to better understand how to use mass media as a contact since Hispanics, African-Americans, and Caucasians have interpreted the same information differently. Elaine Enarson focused her thoughts on gender issues. In many cases, male power privilege limits women's access to resources and options regarding disaster mitigation and relief.
Women often find themselves in marginalized positions prior to disaster.
To further diversity, equity, and sustainability efforts, more questions relating to women's lives need to be asked, and gender specific data collected. Policies must be evaluated for gender bias, and attention to these issues should be added to disaster education and training efforts. Kris Peterson extended the discussion to meeting the needs of children and families. To assist these groups, people need to be made aware of the resources available, who the points of contact are, and how to assess pre-existing conditions that contribute to their vulnerability. To help them heal, more therapeutic services for families are needed.