Wireless RERC News

The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC), in collaboration with Georgia Tech’s Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP), submitted comments in response to the FCC’s Public Notice, Request for Updated Information And Comment On Wireless Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) Regulations [WT Docket Nos. 07-250 and 10-254].

Dr. DeeDee Bennett’s article, Moving Towards Accessible Wireless Emergency Alerts: Sending and Receiving, was published in October’s issue of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Bulletin.  In preparation for IAEM’s annual conference in November, the theme of this issue and the conference is Navigating the New Normal.  As such, Dr. Bennett’s article discusses the findings of a Wireless RERC survey on the accessibility of Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), and survey research funded by FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).

October 2014 – The FCC announced it will host a forum next month promoting accessibility in wireless emergency communications. The event will allow industry and emergency communications specialists the opportunity to present innovations in services, emergency, assistive and accessible technologies that increase information and communications access in the event of an emergency.

Georgia Tech’s Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP), in collaboration with the Wireless RERC, submitted comments to an FCC Public Notice [CG Docket No. 10-213] asking for comments on the tentative findings about the accessibility of communication technologies.

September 2014 – IDEAL Group Apps4Android, the world’s largest developer of Android accessibility apps, released an update for the “IDEAL Currency Identifier” app this month. Created to enable non-visual identification of currency note amounts, the app’s new features allow users to identify currency more quickly and recognize the redesigned $100 note. Developed with support from the Wireless RERC’s App Factory and NIDRR, the app is free and available for download at the Google Play Store.