1. ANSI HSSP Workshop December 1, 2004 Shaumburg, Illinois Access to Emergency Communications for People with Disabilities Judy Harkins Technology Access Program RERC on Telecom Access Gallaudet University

2. RERC on Telecommunications Access Partnership between Trace Center, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison and Gallaudet University Current funding cycle is 2004-2009 Will have a conference on solutions for emergency alerting and communications in fall, 2005 Participation in NRIC, some TIA standards groups, ATIS incubators pertaining to disability access

3. Diversity in communications channels helps Web Email and mobile Email Cell phones IP Text New relay services (IP and video) Policy on Access to Emergency Information on television

4. Some key technologies are not accessible, or limited: Cell phones Many websites and streaming media Radio Television Sirens Few options for people with multiple communication disabilities, such as deaf- blind people

5. Government to Citizen Add dissemination channels used by people with disabilities E.g., mobile text, e-mail Address accessibility of televised EAS, radio emergency alerts Local emergency information must be provided – in full – visually and visual information in spoken form NOAA Weather Radio All Hazard Alerts – Text and voice must be equivalent (text servers needed) Make use of Radio Band Data and location based services Note: New project on emergency alerting funded by NTIA at WGBH in Boston

6. Citizen to Government Add channels used by people with disabilities Internet relay services to PSAPs Text messaging Accessible web communications Email that gets read Location based services

7. Citizen to Citizen Design IP telecom so that text calls have an equal chance of getting through (equal to voice) Restore relay centers early – otherwise all relay users have no service Address alerting within buildings and large facilities such as airports – public address systems have limitations for everyone, but esp. those with hearing disabilities

8. Citizen Preparedness See National Organization on Disability Site (www.nod.org)www.nod.org September 2004 survey of emergency managers September 2004 conference on disability access in emergency DHS is under an exec order to establish an Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. has a new DHS grant to train deaf people in emergency preparedness

9. Acknowledgement This presentation was made possible with funding from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, through grant # H133E040013. However the opinions and content are those of the grantee and do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education.