The annual Georgia Tech Healthy Environments & Active Lifestyles (HEAL) Open House event was held April 23, 2013 from 5pm – 8:30pm, featuring demonstrations of student class projects and research from several Georgia Tech organizations, including: The Aware Home Research Initiative, The Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA), the Wireless RERC (Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center), Design and Technology for Healthy Aging, and others.

On June 13, 2013, Wireless RERC researchers Ben Lippincott and Salimah LaForce presented an overview of the Wireless RERC to industry representatives at a webinar hosted by CTIA's Accessibility Outreach Initiative (AOI). Also discussed were services and other collaborative opportunities the RERC has available to offer CTIA member companies. Attendees included representatives from companies such as Verizon, BlackBerry, Motorola, etc.

June 2013 — Wireless RERC principal investigator, Dr. Helena Mitchell, presented 9-1-1 & Alert Trends for People with Disabilities at the National Emergency Number Associations’ (NENA) annual conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. NENA’s educational tracks, among other things, addressed NG911, accessibility, text-to-911, public outreach, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

The Georgia Tech Office of Government and Community Relations and Policy@Tech cordially invited you to join them at the Clough Commons, Room 144, on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. for a presentation about the proposed federal budget for FY2014. Mr. Robert Knotts, Director of Federal Relations at Georgia Tech, provided an overview of the budget and discussed how it could impact the Georgia Tech community. He also was able to answer any relevant questions about the federal budget and its implications for Tech.

Helena has been appointed by Dr. Bud Peterson, President of Georgia Tech to serve on the committee which is charged with broad oversight responsibilities to ensure that Georgia Tech meets its responsibilities and obligations under the ADA and related laws. The appointment is for two years.

The Center for Advanced Communications Policy has received a contract from the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) for FY 2014. Led by Dr. Nathan W. Moon (PI), CACP will continue its external evaluation of the USG STEM Initiative, a program to improve student success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) throughout Georgia’s colleges and universities.

Dr. Nathan Moon recently was awarded the “Rookie” Award by RESNA, the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America. One of major awards offered by RESNA, the “Rookie” award is given annually to recognize new members who have made significant contributions, provided leadership, and have made an impact to RESNA during their first several years of participation. Dr. Moon was recognized for his leadership of the RESNA Government Affairs Committee, which he continues to lead.

September 5, 2013. Helena Mitchell and James White joined the Georgia Tech task force on “enhancing the quality of life for older adults.” The task force is an initiative to tackle multiple “grand challenges” associated with enabling older adults and those with functional limitations to live independently and maintain a high quality of life. James White contributed to the breakout group on “social connectedness,” that identified three grand challenges: Visioning Independent and Vigorous Aging, or VIVA; Building the Care Network that Works; and Supporting Social Integration.

On September 30th, CACP was notified by the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, and Division of the National Continuity Program Directorate of a grant from the IPAWS program: IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) Alerts for People with Disabilities or Language Differences. The award was for approximately $500,000 for one year – September 30, 2013 – September 29, 2014.