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.

Helena Mitchell attended and presented at the 39th Annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop Sunday, June 22 through Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in Broomfield, Colorado. The Workshop: Wireless Emergency Alerts - The Edge of the Wave: Current Research and Pathway Forward will be presented on Monday, June 23, 2014.

DeeDee Bennett was on a panel at the M-Enabling Seminar in Arlington, VA Tuesday, June 10, 2014 (11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.). Emergency communications today can leverage multiple technology enablers embedded in mobile phones to provide more informed, accurate and faster response to calls by seniors or persons with disabilities at risk. This session reviewed solutions adopted around the world, case studies and innovations with the greatest potential for enhancing emergency communications for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Braeden Benson presented, "Reaching the Whole Community: Examining Website Accessibility," at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Conference and Expo Tuesday, June 10, 2014 (11:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m.). The presentation discussed how websites are an important means of communication used in public safety.

Helena Mitchell attended and presented at the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) in Atlanta, Georgia June 1st - June 4th at the Sheraton Hotel. The workshop title: Emergency Planning & Response for the Whole Community: Information, Resources and Tools was presented on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 (8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m.).

DeeDee Bennett attended and participated in the Georgia Social Vulnerability Index Training Workshop in Atlanta, Georgia May 14th. The workshop informed participants about the development of the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) and provide hands-on-training for the social vulnerability tool used in local emergency repsonse planning

DeeDee Bennett attended the State-Wide Hurricane Evacuation Exercise (Hurrex 2014) in Macon, Georgia May 6th, where she participated as an observer. The exercise was a joint operation of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross and Department of Human Services. The mission was to evaluate how shelter staff comply with real world operations in the event of an emergency.

The CACP hosted the general meeting for the Georgia Emergency Preparedness Coalition for Individuals with Disabilities and Older Adults at the Institute for People and Technology (IPaT) on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 2:30 pm.

Braeden Benson presented her Capstone Project at Emory’s Public Health department on April 24, 2014.