Emergency Communications

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 – In research funded by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate, Georgia Tech is holding focus groups to discuss assistive technology features, mobile devices, and how people with disabilities respond and are alerted of emergencies. Because different disability types aren’t always considered in the design of alerting systems, this cycle of research is seeking feedback from individuals who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing.

October 2014 – The FCC posted two new videos this month that include American Sign Language (ASL) interpretations of information concerning emergency services and the FCC’s Advanced Video Communications Platform and in ASL Video. The original video that was posted in June 2014 provided information about the launch of an ASL Consumer Support Line that allows people who are deaf and hard of hearing to use the service via videophone.

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.

September 2014 – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Public Notice to remind video programming distributors of their obligation to make emergency information accessible to persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired in accordance with section 79.2 of the FCC’s [47 C.F.R.] regulations. The notice applies to “broadcasters, cable operators, satellite television services, and any other distributor of video programming” as specified by the code of federal regulations.