Effective Communications for People with Disabilities: Before, During, and After Emergencies

Wireless RERC

The Wireless RERC (Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center) focuses on identifying issues and providing solutions related to accessibility and usability of mobile wireless products and services by people with disabilities. Currently, the center is working on three prototype “lifelines” on wireless platforms, each of which will undergo trials for people with disabilities. The prototypes are an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app for emergency communications; a Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) video platform; and TTY-like access to NG 911 via a wireless interface (Wireless RERC, 2012). The Wireless RERC’s policy center provides substantive input into policymaking to help reduce barriers and accelerate adoption of accessible wireless products, services (including emergency alerts), and software applications. Of particular interest is parity of access to emergency information and ensuring that people with disabilities who require nonvoice communication (e.g., deaf, speech-disabled ) have equivalent access to emergency services as analog-based communications are phased out in favor of fourth generation/Internet Protocol (4G/IP) technology.