Wireless RERC - Reports

Text-to-911 and NG911 Policy Study

mz22 — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 21:36:47 +0000

Publication Type:

November 2016 – The Wireless RERC published a research brief summarizing the results of a study of 9-1-1 policies at the state and local levels in relation to text-to-911 and next generation 9-1-1 (NG911) deployments in the United States. The brief is a high-level summary of state emergency communications offices and public-safety answering point (PSAP) policies regarding text-to-911 and/or NG911 as it relates to people with disabilities’ access to emergency services. The purpose of the study was to identify the extent to which content regarding individuals with disabilities was included in state and local text-to-911 and NG-911 policies.

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Research Brief - NG911 Policy Study.docx	32.23 KB

Handout - WEA vs. EAS Survey Comparison

mz22 — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 19:29:59 +0000

Publication Type:

Reports

The research presented in the handout was conducted by the Wireless RERC and funded by a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). It provides the background and results of research activities that examined the effectiveness of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to provide messages to people with disabilities. Specifically, the handout includes 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.

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WEA vs. EAS One Page Handout.pdf	559.91 KB

Summary Report - Emergency Lifelines Workshop & Tabletop

mz22 — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 19:12:03 +0000

Publication Type:

Reports

The Emergency Lifelines Workshop & Tabletop Summary Report is available. The workshop, held in Spring 2016 at the Georgia Institute of Technology, hosted forty-four (44) individuals with active leadership roles in emergency communications at the invitation-only event. The event engaged representatives from academic, local, state, and Federal agencies to better understand the needs of individuals with disabilities during emergency situations, whether natural or manmade. The main purpose of this one-day event was to heighten awareness of strategies for communicating timely, accessible, lifesaving information over multiple wireless platforms. The intended objective of the event was to increase emergency communications between public safety officials and vulnerable populations, particularly people with disabilities. The report details the panelists' remarks and tabletop exercise outcomes.

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Emergency Lifelines Summary 0607.docx	2.86 MB

Wireless RERC Summit Proceedings: Envisioning Inclusive FUTURES

mz22 — Fri, 20 May 2016 14:45:25 +0000

Futures

Publication Type:

Reports

The Envisioning Inclusive FUTURES Summit Proceedings have been published by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC) on our website. The Summit focused on 1) key social, economic, political and technological forces at play in the migration from legacy, analog technologies to mobile, digital technologies, and 2) the consequential futures for people with disabilities. The Proceedings concluded that a variety of technological solutions exist whether discussing the present or the future, and more are under development, to facilitate the ability of people with disabilities to engage in life activities. Transformative ideas and common visionary themes addressed wireless technologies and systems that could stimulate inclusive solutions such as robotics, wearables, the Internet of Things, next-generation emergency communications and alerts, and assistive intelligence for auditory and visual navigation. Looking to an inclusive future, not only were research and policy agenda items identified, but also challenges and recommendations on how to reach a future of inclusiveness. Following are a few findings:

Usability is critical – technology needs to be “out of the box” ready. The design process should be enhanced so that devices be intuitively usable, or conversely, be easily personalizable.
Education, outreach and awareness efforts should be dynamic and integral to both ongoing and adaptive/changing environments. This is in reference to not only technology, but to the changing circumstances of people with disabilities.
Products and services should be universally designed and also take into account cultural sensitivity.

The visionary theme from the opening to the concluding dialog emphasized: A transformative future is an inclusive future. This became the key take-away for reinforcing the Wireless RERC’s commitment to ensure an accessible mobile wireless future for people with disabilities.

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Wireless RERC SoT - Envisioning Inclusive Futures Summit Preceedings.pdf	1.81 MB

Online Wireless Accessibility Resources Survey Results

blippincott4 — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 18:12:28 +0000

In response to consumers with disabilities unsure about which wireless devices and services best fit their needs and abilities, the Wireless RERC developed “Your Guide to Choosing a Cell Phone” in 2004.

Today, all of the major wireless manufacturers and service providers, as well as some third party resources, maintain websites offering accessibility information. These websites are powerful tools for gathering and comparing information about available products and services for customers with disabilities. At the same time, navigating these sites, and the sheer amount of available information, can be intimidating for some customers.

In spring, 2010, the Wireless RERC conducted a study among members of its Consumer Advisory Network (CAN), a nationwide group of consumers with varying degrees of abilities, to determine the usefulness of these online accessibility resources. CAN members were asked to explore these sites as if they were intending to purchase a new wireless product or service.

Reaching accessibility information from these sites’ homepages can be challenging. This information may be found under a “corporate governance” section, or “help and support” pages. Sometimes this information is identified as “disability resources”, but more often than not as “accessibility”. To minimize these challenges to study participants, we provided links directly to each site’s accessibility pages.

We asked survey respondents to rate the usefulness of each online accessibility site on a scale from one (poor) to five (excellent). Respondents were also encouraged to comment on the information that they found especially useful or helpful, as well as to suggest improvements.

Results from Online Accessibility Resources Survey

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

mz22 — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 21:17:51 +0000

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.

WEA_EAS_ResearchBrief_FINAL 1.pdf

Hearing Aid Compatibility Survey Questionnaires-2013 and 2014

JohnM — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 16:09:14 +0000

2013 and 2014 Hearing Aid Compatibility Questionnaires

2013 HAC Survey Questionnaire

2014 HAC Survey Questionnaire - Followup

2014 SUNspot (Number 03) - Ease of Use and Wireless Device Modifications by Adults with Disabilities

blippincott4 — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 20:15:46 +0000

We created “SUNspot” to share some of the latest findings from ongoing data collection for our Survey of User Needs (SUN), our cornerstone survey on use and usability of wireless technology by people with disabilities. We launched the first version of the SUN in 2001. The current version (Version 4) was launched in September 2012. Data collection was conducted through September 2013. The data reported here are preliminary results.

This SUNspot focuses on any changes and modifications that people with disabilities might make to their mobile wireless devices to make them easier to use. Even though relatively high rates of people with disabilities use cellphone and tablets, they often face challenges accessing those devices. In response they may make changes, additions, of modifications to their devices.

SUNspot_2014-03_Ease and Modifications_2014-07-30.pdf

2014 SUNspot (Number 02) - Use of Mobile Apps by People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

blippincott4 — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 18:48:04 +0000

This SUNspot focuses on the use and unmet needs for mobile apps on smartphones and tablets by adults who are deaf or hard of hearing. People with hearing loss, especially those who are deaf, are generally perceived as early and avid adopters of mobile wireless communication technology. They embraced the Sidekick and Blackberry devices in the early 2000s, and have similarly embraced contemporary touch-screen devices and services.

This SUNspot addressess the following questions:

But beyond text and email messaging, do deaf and hard of hearing consumers tend to use lots of apps?
Do the apps they use include mainstream and more expensive specialized apps?
With more than 1 million apps available on each of the two major app marketplaces (Apples AppStore and GooglePlay), do deaf and hard of hearing users still have unmet needs?

SUNspot_2014-02_Hearing Impairment and Apps_2014-07-07.pdf

Updated: 12 Considerations for Accessible Emergency Communications

mz22 — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 20:38:18 +0000

Publication Type:

Reports

July 2014 – The Wireless RERC recently updated their consideration guide to help emergency response and preparedness communities plan for individuals with access and functional needs. The document highlights technology, policy, training and education concerns for making emergency communications more accessible. Some considerations include:

Procuring and utilizing software/hardware solutions and interoperable networks for (1) receiving alert feeds from multiple sources and (2) transitioning to a next generation 9-1-1 system.
Ensuring responsible federal agencies enforce laws safeguarding people with disabilities.
Empowering end-users by providing information and resources on accessible emergency alert and information options.

The reverse of the document includes links to resources with topic specific information.

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12 Considerations for Accessible Emergency Communications (2014).doc	70 KB