Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) / Emergency Alert System (EAS) Survey Comparison

This research brief presents the background and results of research activities which were conducted to examine the effectiveness of EAS and WEA to provide alerts to people with disabilities.  Specifically, the Wireless RERC conducted comparative analyses of the awareness of EAS and WEA messages, the accessibility of the two systems, as well as the types of protective actions taken as a result of the emergency messages.  The survey research occurred between 2011 and 2014 and the results, analyses and recommendations were completed in 2015.  This research was provided to government entities to supply unbiased data and evaluation to help ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to critical lifesaving information through digitally-based warning systems.