DeeDee Bennett and the CACP collaborative team conducted focus groups at Deaf Link, Inc. in San Antonio, TX on November 20, 2014. The focus groups explored the use of assistive technology for mobile devices and awareness of Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) messages. Participants were asked how they receive emergency alerts and information and preferences regarding light and vibration for incoming alerts. This research is supported by the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate under contract #HSHQDC-14-C-B0004.

DeeDee Bennett held demonstrations at the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio, TX, November 17 -19, 2014. She demonstrated development and prototype projects related to our work with the Wireless RERC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Integrated Public Alerts and Warnings (IPAWS) division regarding accessible emergency alerts for people with disabilities. Due the nature our research and recent partnerships, the demonstrations were featured in the FEMA IPAWS Booth (#327) at the IAEM Conference. 

The FCC held a forum on Friday, "FCC’s Accessible Wireless Emergency Communications Forum & Exhibition” November 7, 2014, to promote the latest advances in accessible wireless emergency communications, including text-to-911. The event was held at FCC Headquarters, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. CACP/Wireless RERC participated on a panel and also provided several prototypes and app solutions for alerting people with disabilities.

An article by DeeDee Bennett, Ph.D. entitled “Moving Towards Accessible Wireless Emergency Alerts: Sending and Receiving” is featured in the October 2014 International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Bulletin, volume 31, issue 10. This IAEM Bulletin issue is focused on the theme for the IAEM 2014 Annual Conference and EMEX, “Emergency Management: Navigating the New Normal”.

The issue is available online at the IAEM website or for download below.

Georgia Tech hosted a Research showcase and reception for the National Council on Disability on October 6, 2014 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Twenty-eight R&D posters and demonstrations presented the wide ranging work of the Georgia Tech community including design and technology for people with motor impairments, hard-of-hearing and Deaf, people with vision impairments, social media for children and adolescents, and universal design for people aging into disability.

Dr. Helena Mitchell, executive director of Georgia Tech’s Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP), was named a Regents' Researcher by the University System of Georgia. This highest of research honors, given by the Board of Regents of the state of Georgia, celebrates Dr. Mitchell’s scientific accomplishments and contributions to her field of research. Dr. Mitchell was recruited to Georgia through the Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar program that spans educational, community and business environments.

DeeDee Bennett, Salimah LaForce and the CACP collaborative team conducted focus groups at GACHI on August 8, 2014. The focus group explored user testing of an external alerting interface that responds to Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) messages on mobile phones. Participants was asked how they receive emergency alerts and information and preferences for two-way communications with emergency response personnel.

DeeDee Bennett and the CACP collaborative team conducted focus groups at the Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI) on July 10, 2014. The focus group explored user testing of an external alerting interface that responds to Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) messages on mobile phones. Participants was asked how they receive emergency alerts and information and preferences for two-way communications with emergency response personnel. This research is supported, in part, by the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) Project Management Office (PMO) under contract # HSFE5-13-R-003.

Researchers at the Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP) at the Georgia Institute of Technology have written a report on Effective Communication for People with Disabilities Before, During, and After Emergencies. Funded by the National Council on Disabilities, the report finds that the legitimate concerns of people with disabilities and other special needs populations in emergency situations are frequently overlooked or minimized.

CACP researcher Salimah LaForce traveled to Deaf Link headquarters in San Antonio, TX on June 18-20, 2014 to conduct focus groups and observe a novel survey method for capturing data from people who are deaf and rely on American Sign Language (ASL). One focus group explored user testing of an external alerting interface that responds to Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) messages on mobile phones. The other discussed how different modes of communication can be leveraged to enhance access to emergency information.