Wireless RERC - Accessible Emergency Information

Emergency Lifelines Workshop & Tabletop Recap

mz22 — Fri, 06 May 2016 14:00:52 +0000

Publication Type:

Emergency Lifelines Workshop & Tabletop Recap

The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC) hosted an Emergency Lifelines Workshop & Tabletop on April 14, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Emergency Lifelines Workshop & Tabletop was coordinated by Christina Touzet and held at the Georgia Tech Research Institute Conference Center. Forty-four (44) individuals representing local, state, federal and academic leaders who play a role in emergency communications were in attendance. This one day workshop heightened awareness among stakeholders about the need for accessible emergency communications and feasible approaches to ensure timely lifesaving information from the public safety officials is sent to people with disabilities.

The day began with two panels in the morning. The first panel gave an Update on Federal, State, and Local Emergency Communications, moderated by Helena Mitchell, Ph.D. The panelists included: Charles McCobb, Mary Hudak, and Susan Loeffler. Charles McCobb, from IPAWS - FEMA / DHS, gave an overview of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) and the common alerting protocol. Charles also discussed the future of emergency notification systems, and leveraging communications pathways via connected devices. Mary Hudak explained the regional level emergency communications operations and specifically how critical it is to engage the “whole community.” In order to engage with the “whole community” it is important to work with independent living centers in each state and offer assistive technology at the disaster recovery centers. “We aim to give the right information at the right time so people can make the right decisions.” Susan Loeffler provided insight on how DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency utilizes Code Red, social media and coordination with local organizations to reach their population of people with disabilities. DeKalb County issues Code Red, however only 5% of the population has opted in; as a result they are in the process of becoming an IPAWS alerting authority. Director Loeffler discussed how critical it is to create an initiative to get preparedness information out in the school system and to reach the kids who will share the information with their parents.

The second panel discussed State and Local Initiatives, moderated by Rick Wimberly, Galain Solutions. The panelists included: Wayne Smith, Betsy Kagey, Ph.D., Jennifer Hogan, and Kay Chiodo. Wayne Smith, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, provided insight about how the state level coordinates with the local level for emergency communications purposes. Betsy Kagey spoke about the Georgia Department of Public Health Emergency Communications initiatives and use of GIS to make responders aware of the medically at risk non-institutionalized population. Georgia has 159 counties and 18 health districts, it is necessary to connect with the populations that do not use social media and also the populations that are homebound. Jennifer Hogan spoke about the Georgia Emergency Preparedness Coalition for Older Adults and Individuals with Disabilities. She provided tips guides to attendees that provide tips for awareness to identify the unique needs of people with disabilities in an emergency. The quick reference provides specific, practical tips for working with people who have a wide range of disabilities. Kay Chiodo, CEO of DeafLink educated the audience on accessible emergency communications and how important it is to incorporate ASL video features into emergency alerts.

Following the two panels, at lunch time, was a poster and demo session for attendees to experience emergency communications research, technology, and additional resources. Demos included: Hamilton/Georgia Relay, FEMA IPAWS, FEMA Region IV, Georgia Emergency Preparedness Coalition, Accessible Weather App, Deaf Link Inc., Wireless RERC Research, and Accessible Wireless Emergency Alerts with ASL video feature, etc.

In the afternoon the Winter Storm Tabletop Exercise – a Discovery & Exploration was facilitated by Thomas Kempton, an emergency management consultant for the Wireless RERC. The tabletop exercise consisted of modules that reviewed different types of winter weather alerts, warnings and watches. Each table was able to discuss each of the modules as a table and troubleshoot different efforts made by agencies in relation to emergency communications. Each table discussed issues that could arise and how to communicate in an accessible manner throughout the alert and warning stages.

This tabletop exercise featured actual NWS generated weather watches and weather warnings for a winter storm in the Atlanta metro area. After presentation of each input the moderator posed a series of questions and each table was given time to discuss and then report out on what their discussions had revealed.

Attendees reported countless benefits from the day, including: greater awareness, networking, expanding horizons, gained knowledge in new areas, learned how to communicate with different agencies, excellent opportunity to learn from other experts and share mutual experiences and lessons learned, learned various challenges related to inclusion of people with disabilities or access and functional needs.

FCC to Host Accessible Wireless Emergency Communications Forum

mz22 — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 12:38:08 +0000

Emergency Communications

Accessible Emergency Information

Next Generation 911 (NG911)

Accessible Wireless Emergency Communications Forum

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. With goals of advancing inclusive and accessible wireless emergency communications for all, the sessions will include presentations from wireless carriers, government agencies, academia, advocates and providers of accessible notifications systems. The Wireless RERC and Georgia Tech’s Center for Advanced Communications Policy will participate in a panel titled, Disability Strategies for Research and Action in the Field. Other panels will cover government strategies concerning inclusive emergency alerts and warnings; the transition to next-generation 911 capabilities; and outreach and engagement strategies.

Throughout the day, the FCC’s Technology Experience Center will have an exhibition of prototypes and technology solutions designed to increase independence and protective active decisions by people with disabilities during times of local or national emergencies.

The event will begin on Friday, November 7, 2014 at 9am, at the FCC Headquarters, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. This free event is open to the public, and will be available via live webcast at www.fcc.gov/live.

For additional information please contact Kelly Jones of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at Kelly.Jones@fcc.gov or call (202) 418-7078.

FCC Reminds Video Program Distributors about Accessible Emergency Info

mz22 — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 16:45:59 +0000

Accessible Emergency Information

Reminder Regarding Video Programming Distributors’ Obligation to Make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons Who Are Deaf,

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. Under section 79.2, video programming distributors must make emergency information that is primarily intended for distribution to an audience in the geographic area in which the emergency is occurring accessible. The notice clarifies that those outside of the affected areas should also be notified with accessible information as relocation may be necessary.

The Public Notice additionally addresses information regarding how consumers file complaints for noncompliance with this obligation. The obligation requires that emergency information is accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. FCC rules specify that emergency information provided in the audio portion of programming be made accessible using closed captioning, open captioning, crawls or scrolls that appear on the screen.

Wireless RERC Files Reply Comments on Accessibility of Devices for Video Programming

mz22 — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:52:19 +0000

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

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

Video Programming

Accessible Emergency Information

Wireless RERC Reply Comments

Publication Type:

Policy Filings

February 2014 — The Wireless RERC submitted reply comment to the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM): In the Matter of Accessibility of User Interfaces, and Programming Guides and Menus and Accessible Emergency Information and Apparatus Requirements for Emergency Information and Video Description: Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. The FNPRM requested input on defining the scope of Sections 204 and 205 of the Twenty First Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) which require user interfaces and navigation devices for video programming to be accessible to people with vision loss.

Wireless RERC comments highlighted that despite the presence of accessibility features on many devices, consumers are often unaware of these features. Accordingly, in agreement with the Consumer Groups and Telecom RERC, the Wireless RERC recommends implementation of “information, documentation and training requirements” in accessible formats for consumers with and without disabilities. The accessibility of the devices, equipment and services should be conceived as a continuum that includes the technology itself and any support for using/accessing the technology.

Regarding a mechanism for activating accessibility features, the Wireless RERC notes that “a minimal step accessibility button, key or icon” should be used to ensure ease of activating and inactivating accessibility features such as closed captioning and video description.” However, they acknowledged and concurred with the Consumer Groups and Telecom RERC that the minimal step accessibility activation and configuration recommended does not supplant the need for a single step activation/deactivation of closed captions.

Finally, Wireless RERC comments disagree with the National Cable and Telecommunications Association’s (NCTA) position that the FCC does not have the legal authority to require a mechanism by which may enable people with visual disabilities may access a secondary audio stream for emergency information. Instead, the Wireless RERC stresses that the FCC’s basic mission is to “provide for the safety of life and property of Americans,” and accommodations for people with disabilities must be made to the fullest extent possible, including providing emergency information in the most accessible and effective format for each individual.

Wireless RERC Comments on Accessibility of Emergency Information

mz22 — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 19:13:44 +0000

Accessible Emergency Information

video description

Publication Type:

Policy Filings

August 2013 - The Wireless RERC filed reply comments with the FCC in response to their Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: In the Matter of Accessibility of Emergency Information and Apparatus Requirements for Emergency Information and Video Description: Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 [MB Docket No. 12-107]. The FNPRM requested input on whether a multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) service should be required to comply with rules to provide accessible aural emergency information when subscribers access linear video programming via alternative devices, and whether such entities should be required to assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired in traversing between main and secondary audio streams.

The Wireless RERC comments note that many content providers distribute programming via mobile, IP delivery, and consumers may expect emergency information to be present. In order to ensure that emergency information is relevant to the consumer, the Wireless RERC emphasized that the rules should apply only to “programming that is simultaneously being provided to the home television,” not on-demand prgramming. The Wireless RERC also agreed with AT&T and CTIA in that MVPDs should comply with the FCC rules “regardless of the devices that are accessing the video programming” and that the rules should apply to the “entities that control the technology in question.” In addressing accessible customer service options for people with vision loss, the Wireless RERC challenged the statements of CEA and TIA noting that anecdotally, customer service representatives have been unable to adequately address the needs of people with vision loss due to insufficient knowledge on accessibility features. Accordingly, the Wireless RERC recommended specific accessibility training to be mandated for customer service representatives.

Related Files:

Attachment	Size
2013-August_Reply Comments (wRERC FINAL)_Accessible Emergency Info and Apparatus.pdf	202.69 KB