Wireless RERC - Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC)

EAAC Identifies NG911 Accessibility Gaps

mz22 — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 15:39:42 +0000

Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC)

National Emergency Number Association (NENA)

July 2013 —The Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a report outlining “gaps in NENA i3 NG9-1-1 specifications related to EAAC Accessibility reports.” The report reviews the NENA Functional and Interface Standards for Next Generations 9-1-1 (NENA i3), a document widely used in the development of NG9-1-1, and notes that certain gaps in the NENA i3 may prevent accessibility within NG9-1-1. Specifically, the EAAC notes that future versions of NENA i3 need to address many items, including the need for standards to address emergency calls using a relay service, the use of media communication line services, transferring and call-back procedures relating to multi-media calls, joint use of text and voice in emergency calls, and silent call procedures. Although the EAAC notes that issues with accessibility remain in the current version of the NENA i3, they also note that “the NENA i3 08-003 specification represents a tremendous accomplishment in establishing the framework for accessible NG9-1-1 communications, and the list of gaps in no way overshadows or diminishes the work done to date.”

Using TTY Terminals as a Text-to-911 Solution

mz22 — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 17:12:23 +0000

TTY

Text-to-911

Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC)

public safety answering points (PSAPs)

Proposed procedures for the TTY as a text terminal in legacy 9-1-1 PSAPs without IP connection

June 2013 — The Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a report entitled Proposed Procedures for the TTY as a text terminal in legacy 9-1-1 PSAPs without IP Connection, which outlines the use of TTY terminals as a text-to-911 interim solution for Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) without IP connectivity. The report highlights that TTY may lack some capabilities often used in SMS text messages. For example, TTY messages have a limited set of characters available for use, are unable to use both upper and lowercase letters in the same message, and only one message can be transmitted at a time, otherwise “character loss or garbling occurs.” However, despite the limitations, for those PSAPs without IP connection, the EAAC notes that the use of an application for message-to-TTY conversion can allow interim solutions for those PSAPs to receive and respond to text-to-911 messages. According to the EAAC, the roll-out of text-to-911 will be intermittent, which may cause confusion for consumers who may be able to send an SMS message in one county but not the next. The EAAC therefore notes the importance of trying to make text-to-911 interoperable with legacy technology.

Next Emergency Access Advisory Committee Meeting On June 14, 2013

mz22 — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:46:34 +0000

Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC)

Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility of 2010 (CVAA)

Next Generation 911 (NG911)

disabilities

Public Notice

March 2013 — The next Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) meeting will be held at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) headquarters on June 14, 2013 from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM (EST). The EAAC is an advisory committee established on December 7, 2010 under the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) that focuses on evaluating and determining the most effective technologies that enable individuals with disabilities access to Next Generation 911 (NG 9-1-1). The agenda for the upcoming EAAC meeting includes discussion from EAAC subcommittees on reports and related activities.

EAAC Recommendations on the Accessibility of NG9-1-1

mz22 — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:58:05 +0000

Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC)

NG9-1-1

public safety answering points (PSAPs)

sign language interpreters (SLIs)

EAAC Report

March 2013 — The Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) released a report entitled EAAC Working Group 3 Recommendations on Current 9-1-1 and Next-Generation 9-1-1: Media Communication Line Services Used to Ensure Effective Communication with Callers with Disabilities. The document discusses EAAC recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on implementing the necessary tools and procedures that can ensure accessibility of emergency services and communications to individuals with disabilities. The EAAC recommends that Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPS) utilize sign language interpreters and communication assistants who complete standard training to meet specific qualifications in handling 9-1-1 calls. In addition, the implementation of independent, certified Media Communication Line Services (MCLS) centers is encouraged, as an extension of the translation service provided to individuals with disabilities during NG9-1-1 calls. Standard operating protocols and technical standards for MCLS and PSAPs is encouraged along with quality assurance guidelines. To support these services, consumer outreach and education programs are also recommended by the EAAC.

Emergency Access Advisory Committee Meets on March 1

mz22 — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:13:26 +0000

January 31, 2013— The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that the next meeting of the Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) will be held on March 1, 2013 at the FCC headquarters in Washington, DC from 10:30am to 3:30pm EST. The agenda includes discussion on reports from select EAAC subcommittees, as they relate to accessibility to 911 services by individuals with disabilities. The EAAC was established by the FCC on December 7, 2010, with the purpose of identifying and recommending the "most effective and efficient technologies and methods by which to enable access to Next Generation 911 (NG 9-1-1) emergency services by individuals with disabilities."

Start Date:

Friday, March 1, 2013 - 10:30am to 3:30pm

Additional Information:

Public Notice

Next Generation 911 (NG911)

Emergency Communications

Emergency Services

Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC)

Emergency Access Advisory Committee Charter Extended

mz22 — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:21:57 +0000

Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC)

Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA)

Emergency Services

NG911

Public Notice

January 11, 2013 — The Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau and Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission has extended the Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) charter by six months until June 14, 2013. Under the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA), the EAAC was chartered to investigate and recommend the “most effective and efficient technologies and methods by which to enable equal access to emergency services by individuals with disabilities.” The EAAC submitted reports to the Commission on December 7, 2011 but have since organized subcommittees to further research and explain their recommendations. This additional work will be included in the EAAC final reports and recommendations, to be submitted to the Commission by June 14, 2013.

Wireless RERC Gives Input on the Transition to NG9-1-1

mz22 — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:13:36 +0000

NG9-1-1

Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC)

Comments of the Wireless RERC

Publication Type:

Policy Filings

The Wireless RERC filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to their Public Notice In the Matter of Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Seeks Comment on the Legal and Statutory Framework for Next Generation 9-1-1 Services Pursuant to the Next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act of 2012. The comments recommended state level coordination of the transition to NG9-1-1, noting such coordination would aid in outreach efforts once NG9-1-1 services are implemented, for example in streamlining the resources needed to create materials in alternate formats and modalities (Braille documents, captioned video, accessible electronic information). In addition the Wireless RERC pointed out that it would be more effective to execute a statewide campaign that educates citizens on NG9-1-1 capabilities and limitations, compared with local campaigns. The Wireless RERC also recommended that states be required to designate a state agency to oversee the transition, and ensure that a portion of funds collected from subscribers’ fees for 911 services be earmarked for efforts to facilitate the transition to NG9-1-1.

Beyond state level coordination, the Wireless RERC addressed the role of the federal government, recommending that it should make certain that NG9-1-1 be implemented in a manner that ensures the accessibility of the system to people with disabilities, as well as the accessibility of ancillary activities such as outreach. Federal ownership of the disability/accessibility implementation issues was urged for reasons of both efficiency and expertise. We recommended that the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau’s (CGB) Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) be responsible for facilitating compliance with disability access requirements dictated not only by the Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA), but also by Title II and Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This would allow for cross-coordination of pro-active initiatives such as education, public outreach, and enforcement. Specific recommendations regarding compliance, enforcement, guidelines, and mapping are also detailed in the filing.

Making Next Generation 911 Emergency Services More Accessible

mz22 — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:16:41 +0000

The Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) will hold their next meeting on Friday, December 14, 2012 from 10:30am to 3:30pm EST. The EAAC is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) advisory committee that was created under the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA). The primary responsibility of the EAAC is to evaluate and recommend “the most effective and efficient technologies and methods” that allow individuals with disabilities access to Next Generation 911 (NG 9-1-1) emergency services. The agenda for the upcoming EAAC meeting includes discussion on reports drafted by EAAC subcommittees that relate to ensuring individuals with disabilities have access to 911 emergency services. The meeting is open to the public.

Start Date:

Friday, December 14, 2012 - 10:30am

Additional Information:

Public Notice

Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC)

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA)

Next Generation 911 (NG 9-1-1)