Salimah LaForce
Senior Research Scientist
Member Of:
- Center for Advanced Communications Policy
Related Links:
Email Address: salimah@cacp.gatech.edu
Overview
Muslimah “Salimah” LaForce is a senior policy analyst for Georgia Tech’s Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP). She specializes in policy research, identifying and describing intended and unanticipated implementation outcomes. Her work spans a variety of topic areas, including increasing accessibility and usability of wireless technologies, improving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities, and building capacity for inclusive emergency response efforts. She has 14 years’ experience conducting user needs and experiences research, and utilizing study results to inform policy and practice recommendations concerning technology access, generally, and the benefit of said access to educational, employment, and social opportunities, specifically. Presently, Salimah is the Principal Investigator for the American Sign Language-Accessible Diabetes Education (ASL-ADE) project, sponsored by the Georgia Center for Diabetes Translation Research (GCDTR) at Emory University. Salimah is also the project director for the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Inclusive Technologies (Wireless RERC) project, Policy and Outreach Initiatives To Accelerate Adoption of Wireless Technologies. In this capacity, she is instrumental in drafting policy recommendations in response to pertinent Federal Communications Commission rulemakings; designing research studies that evaluate the impact of federal policy; translating research into policy proposals and research briefs; and producing educational materials for consumer, practitioner, government, and industry audiences. Salimah is the senior editor of the monthly policy newsletter, Technology, and Disability Policy Highlights, and has co-authored more than 78 conference papers, presentations, journal articles, and federal regulatory agency filings.
Additionally, Salimah is a co-investigator on a Field-Initiated Project on understanding the contingent employment experiences of people with disabilities. She has served as co-project director for the IPAWS CACP Collaborative Project 2, informing citizens of features of mainstream technologies to enhance the effectiveness of Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs); and Project 5, providing accessible next generation alerts. Salimah was also the operations manager for the DHS S&T contract, Public Response to Alerts and Warnings: Optimizing Ability of Message Receipt by People with Disabilities.
Salimah served as the chair (elected) and women’s group representative for BCS, The Charted Institute for IT, USA Section, Southeast Regional Group. She organized events relevant to IT professionals and academics including IT’s for you too: the female dynamic in information technology education and careers, Starts-ups & Innovation: Taking Your Ideas to the Marketplace and the Geeks, Gadgets and Gizmos Showcase Competition. Other volunteer and community efforts include service as the chair of the Grants Committee at Bolton Academy Elementary School, founding member of the Soaring Owls Foundation, Inc., and tutor at the Henry Grady High School Writing Center.
Salimah earned her BA in English literature from Agnes Scott College and her MS in Clinical Psychology, applied research specialization, from the Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Capella University. Her graduate studies focused on culturally competent delivery of mental health services and the inclusion of people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and women in the workplace with an emphasis on the function of perceptions, bias, and social attitudes.
Publications
Recent Publications
Journal Articles
- Socially Vulnerable Populations Adoption of Technology to Address Lifestyle Changes Amid COVID-19 in the US
In: Data and Information Management [Peer Reviewed]
Date: April 2022
The COVID-19 global pandemic has changed every facet of our lives overnight and has resulted in many challenges and opportunities. Utilizing the Lens of Vulnerability we investigate how disparities in technology adoption affect activities of daily living. In this paper, we analyze the existing literature and case studies regarding how the lifestyles of socially vulnerable populations have changed during the pandemic in terms of technology adoption. Socially vulnerable populations, such as racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, older adults, children, and the socially isolated, are specifically addressed because they are groups of people who have been significantly and disproportionately affected by the pandemic. This paper emphasizes that despite seeing changes in and research on technology adoption across healthcare, employment, and education, the impact of COVID-19 in government and social services and activities of daily living is underdeveloped. The study concludes by offering practical and academic recommendations and future research directions. Lessons learned from the current pandemic and an understanding of the differential technology adoption for activities of daily living amid a disaster will help emergency managers, academics, and governments prepare for and respond to future crises.
- Pivoting an MCI Empowerment Program to Online Engagement
In: Proceedings of the ACM Human-Computer Interaction [Peer Reviewed]
Date: January 2022
In the Spring of 2020, closures and safe distancing orders swept much of the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper presents a case study of pivoting an in-person empowerment program focused on lifestyle interventions for people newly diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to an online program. Working as rapidly as possible to sustain participant engagement, our design decisions and subsequent iterations point to initial constraints in telehealth capabilities, as well as learning on the fly as new capabilities and requirements emerged. We present the discovery of emergent practices by family members and healthcare providers to meet the new requirements for successful online engagement. For some participants, the online program led to greater opportunities for empowerment while others were hampered by the lack of in-person program support. Providers experienced a sharp learning curve and likewise missed the benefits of in-person interaction, but also discovered new benefits of online collaboration. This work lends insights and potential new avenues for understanding how lifestyle interventions can empower people with MCI and the role of technology in that process.
- Lessons Learned from Developing a MCI Virtual Empowerment Program
In: Proceedings of The International Symposium on Human Factors and Ergonomics in Health Care [Peer Reviewed]
Date: July 2021
In the Spring of 2020, COVID-19 closures and safe distancing orders required healthcare programs across the US to cease in-person treatment. This paper presents a case study of rapidly pivoting a novel, 12-month comprehensive clinical lifestyle program combining education, occupational therapy, cognitive training, and social interaction to an online application-based education program. The focus of the program is empowerment research for people newly diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their care partners, and is conducted by the Emory Brain Health Center. Georgia Tech developed an education application (named MyCEP) for use with our MCI and care partner population combining off-the-shelf services and customized user interfaces. We used an iterative design and development process, testing our application with our end users and our treatment providers, and made updates based on our discovery of the need for new capabilities and requirements. We present the discovery of emergent practices by family members and healthcare providers to meet the new requirements for successful virtual engagement.
- Educating Minoritized Students in the United States During COVID-19: How Technology Can be Both the Problem and the Solution
In: IT Professional [Peer Reviewed]
Date: March 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has had major implications on socially vulnerable populations, especially minoritized populations. This article examines how technology-mediated learning can both operate as a tool to rectify inequities and a weapon that antagonizes existing divides for socially disadvantaged minoritized Black students. In analyzing this subsection of the population, we discuss technology-mediated learning during the pandemic and access problems that arise due to socially disadvantaged students' systematic inequalities. This article finds that technology is an essential tool that can be a solution to help rectify inequalities during crisis, coupled with models of success and future research.
- Wireless RERC Retrospective: Policy Initiatives to Accelerate Development and Adoption of Accessible Wireless Technologies
In: Proceedings of the Wireless RERC 202one State of Technology Forum
Date: 2021
All Publications
Journal Articles
- Socially Vulnerable Populations Adoption of Technology to Address Lifestyle Changes Amid COVID-19 in the US
In: Data and Information Management [Peer Reviewed]
Date: April 2022
The COVID-19 global pandemic has changed every facet of our lives overnight and has resulted in many challenges and opportunities. Utilizing the Lens of Vulnerability we investigate how disparities in technology adoption affect activities of daily living. In this paper, we analyze the existing literature and case studies regarding how the lifestyles of socially vulnerable populations have changed during the pandemic in terms of technology adoption. Socially vulnerable populations, such as racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, older adults, children, and the socially isolated, are specifically addressed because they are groups of people who have been significantly and disproportionately affected by the pandemic. This paper emphasizes that despite seeing changes in and research on technology adoption across healthcare, employment, and education, the impact of COVID-19 in government and social services and activities of daily living is underdeveloped. The study concludes by offering practical and academic recommendations and future research directions. Lessons learned from the current pandemic and an understanding of the differential technology adoption for activities of daily living amid a disaster will help emergency managers, academics, and governments prepare for and respond to future crises.
- Pivoting an MCI Empowerment Program to Online Engagement
In: Proceedings of the ACM Human-Computer Interaction [Peer Reviewed]
Date: January 2022
In the Spring of 2020, closures and safe distancing orders swept much of the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper presents a case study of pivoting an in-person empowerment program focused on lifestyle interventions for people newly diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to an online program. Working as rapidly as possible to sustain participant engagement, our design decisions and subsequent iterations point to initial constraints in telehealth capabilities, as well as learning on the fly as new capabilities and requirements emerged. We present the discovery of emergent practices by family members and healthcare providers to meet the new requirements for successful online engagement. For some participants, the online program led to greater opportunities for empowerment while others were hampered by the lack of in-person program support. Providers experienced a sharp learning curve and likewise missed the benefits of in-person interaction, but also discovered new benefits of online collaboration. This work lends insights and potential new avenues for understanding how lifestyle interventions can empower people with MCI and the role of technology in that process.
- Lessons Learned from Developing a MCI Virtual Empowerment Program
In: Proceedings of The International Symposium on Human Factors and Ergonomics in Health Care [Peer Reviewed]
Date: July 2021
In the Spring of 2020, COVID-19 closures and safe distancing orders required healthcare programs across the US to cease in-person treatment. This paper presents a case study of rapidly pivoting a novel, 12-month comprehensive clinical lifestyle program combining education, occupational therapy, cognitive training, and social interaction to an online application-based education program. The focus of the program is empowerment research for people newly diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their care partners, and is conducted by the Emory Brain Health Center. Georgia Tech developed an education application (named MyCEP) for use with our MCI and care partner population combining off-the-shelf services and customized user interfaces. We used an iterative design and development process, testing our application with our end users and our treatment providers, and made updates based on our discovery of the need for new capabilities and requirements. We present the discovery of emergent practices by family members and healthcare providers to meet the new requirements for successful virtual engagement.
- Educating Minoritized Students in the United States During COVID-19: How Technology Can be Both the Problem and the Solution
In: IT Professional [Peer Reviewed]
Date: March 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has had major implications on socially vulnerable populations, especially minoritized populations. This article examines how technology-mediated learning can both operate as a tool to rectify inequities and a weapon that antagonizes existing divides for socially disadvantaged minoritized Black students. In analyzing this subsection of the population, we discuss technology-mediated learning during the pandemic and access problems that arise due to socially disadvantaged students' systematic inequalities. This article finds that technology is an essential tool that can be a solution to help rectify inequalities during crisis, coupled with models of success and future research.
- Evaluating the Impact of WEA 2.0 Regulations on WEA Message Content Accessibility
In: Journal of Emergency Management and Disaster Communications [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2021
Policy is ever-changing and evolving to address the needs of the population it serves. The conversation surrounding emergency preparedness often excludes vulnerable populations such as people with disabilities. Therefore, policies and regulations must address existing gaps with inclusive emergency communications. As the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) re-examines and modifies regulations for the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), it is invaluable to evaluate whether these regulatory policies have accomplished their intended effect to become more accessible and inclusive. Thus, this paper explores the impact of WEA 2.0 regulations implemented in December of 2019 on the accessibility of WEA message content and provides a comparative analysis on the accessibility of these messages before the regulation and after.
- Stakeholder Outreach and Engagement Initiatives
In: Proceedings of the Wireless RERC 202one State of Technology Forum
Date: 2021
- Wireless RERC Retrospective: Policy Initiatives to Accelerate Development and Adoption of Accessible Wireless Technologies
In: Proceedings of the Wireless RERC 202one State of Technology Forum
Date: 2021
- Wireless Device Use by Individuals with Disabilities: Findings from a National Survey
In: Journal on Technology & Persons with Disabilities [Peer Reviewed]
Date: June 2020
We present findings from the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Inclusive Technologies (Wireless RERC) Survey of User Needs (SUN) for 2017-2018. The Wireless RERC has surveyed wireless technology adoption and use among individuals with disabilities since 2002, and this article presents findings from the sixth iteration of the SUN. Broadly, it continues to find growing rates of adoption of smartphone technologies among people with disabilities relative to the general population. With an increase of smartphone use among individuals with disabilities from 54% in 2012-2013 and 71% in 2015-2016, to 88% in 2017-2018, our findings suggest further narrowing of the digital "disability divide." SUN respondents generally indicated that their devices were easy to use. Regarding device satisfaction, over three-fourths of smartphone users indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their smartphones. Relatively less established, newer features such as real-time-text and intelligent personal assistants have yet to be widely adopted. However, the higher-than-average use of real-time-text among individuals who reported deafness or difficulty hearing suggests this features' potential for increasing usability and accessibility of these devices, specifically, and communications, in general. For this version, we added new questions on the adoption and use of next-generation wireless devices, as part of a growing trend toward Internet of Things (IoT)-based "smart homes."
- Barriers to Employment Participation of Individuals with Disabilities: Addressing the Impact of Employer (Mis)Perception and Policy
In: American Behavioral Scientist [Peer Reviewed]
Date: April 2018
Although progress has been made toward the objective of increased employment for people with disabilities, the 17.2% employment rate of people with disabilities stands in distressing contrast to the 65% rate of those without disabilities. This article summarizes the results of a comparative survey of representative academic literature and industry publications related to employer policies and practices that can affect workforce participation of individuals with disabilities. Emergent themes include variance in employer perspectives on hiring of individuals with disabilities, impact of perceived versus actual cost as a hiring barrier, and the perceived mismatch of education and/or skills to job qualifications among applicants with disabilities. These themes represent key areas to probe in subsequent research. The research objective is to identify focal points in the industry literature, representative of employer and industry (demand side) points of view that differ from those generally portrayed in the academic literature (more generally, supply side). Findings from a thematic analysis of industry publications can provide (1) evidenced based background to assist in crafting targeted policy to address employer awareness, (2) informed development of industry guidance on topics that may assist employers to achieve a more inclusive workplace, and (3) insights applicable to addressing barriers to broadening participation by technical, scientific, and engineering trained individuals with disabilities.
- American Sign Language and Emergency Alerts: The Relationship between Language, Disability and Accessible Emergency Messaging
In: International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters [Peer Reviewed]
Date: March 2018
Emergency alert messages are not always completely accessible for people who are Deaf that rely on American Sign Language (ASL), due to the language diversity within this community. Those who have become Deaf or hard-of-hearing late in life can use closed captioning as an accommodation. Closed captioning is not always a useful means of communication for those who rely on ASL because it is presented in a language many ASL users do not fully comprehend. Similarly, emergency alert messages delivered via SMS text or email can also present confusion to ASL users who may struggle to understand the written English messages. One size does not fit all; and in this case, English text as a sole means of communication is not entirely accessible. This paper outlines the relationship between language, disability and emergency messaging as learned from several research studies examining the accessibility of public alerts and warnings.
- Inclusive Connected Futures: Editorial introduction to special section on "Envisioning Inclusive Futures"
In: Futures [Peer Reviewed]
Date: December 2016
This special issue comprises papers and findings from the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC) State of Technology (SoT) Summit: Envisioning Inclusive Futures 2015. The purpose of the summit was to conceptualize the liberating value of wireless technologies in facilitating the ability of peopoe with disabilities to engage in life activities. The event utilized a “Futures Thinking” approach as a departure from the traditional assessment of the state of the science and associated presentation of findings common in the field. This “thinking” gravitated toward possible systems of accessibility, rather than on aspects of the individual user, the technology, the context, or a single design factor.
- Optimizing Accessibility of Wireless Emergency Alerts: 2015 Survey Findings
In: Journal on Technology and Persons with Disabilities [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2016
The Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system is a free, opt-out, national emergency alerting service that was deployed in 2012 as one component of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning Systems (IPAWS). Since 2012 over 10,000 WEA messages have been transmitted to mobile phones in the U.S. In 2015, a national online survey on WEAs (2015 WEA Survey) was conducted to understand the effectiveness of WEA messages for people with disabilities. The survey collected data on availability, awareness and accessibility of WEA messages, as well as actions taken by the recipient upon receipt. The survey also takes into consideration the type of mobile device used by the respondents. Project researchers hypothesized that greater awareness and exposure to WEA alerts would increase trust and appropriateness of individual responses to alerts. The analysis of the survey data supports the hypothesis. The 2015 WEA national online survey results provided policy and practice insights to improve the intended impact of WEA messages for people with disabilities.
- Futures of Disabilities: The Migration to a Digital World
In: Journal on Technology and Persons with Disabilities [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2015
- Social Media, Public Emergencies, and Disability
In: Journal of Technology and Persons with Disabilities [Peer Reviewed]
Date: June 2014
Longitudinal survey research data from two surveys conducted in 2010-2011 and 2012-2013, respectively, on the use of social media and other media and devices during public emergencies by people with disabilities are analyzed. The survey data show that television remains the primary means for receiving and verifying public alerts. In the two years between the two emergency communications surveys the alerting methods used to receive emergency alerts have shifted towards wider use of mobile and Internet based technologies while the methods used to verify alert information have remained relatively stable. Rates of social media use for receiving and verifying alert information on the dominant social networking platforms have more than doubled.
- Futures of Disabilities: Is Technology Failing Us?
In: Journal on Technology and Persons with Disabilities [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2014
This paper examines possible reasons why technology may not be living up to its promise for some people with disabilities (including poor policy implementation, low accessibility, cost, disinterest, lack of awareness, prejudice) and describes preliminary results from the first round of a futures-oriented Delphi survey.
- Mobile Emergency Alerting Made Accessible
In: International Journal of Emergency Management
Date: June 2010
It is critical that next-generation warning systems be developed such that persons with disabilities are given equal access to emergency alerts. This paper discusses research and development activities to provide next-generation, mobile emergency alerting systems to people with disabilities. A framework for prototyping mobile phone-based emergency alert systems and multiple systems built on this framework are presented. Results from field trials indicated support and the need for accessible emergency alert/notification features. The paper concludes that simple accommodations can be made to services and software on mobile devices that greatly increase the accessibility of mobile emergency alerts to persons with disabilities.
- Breaking Barriers in the US
In: Ability Magazine
Date: 2009
Chapters
- Research Methods of Disaster and Emergency Management: Quasi-Experimental Research in the wild
In: Research Methods of Disaster and Emergency Management [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2021
- Text-to-Action: Understanding the Interaction between Accessibility of Weless Alerts and Behavioral Response
In: Risk Communication and Resilience
Date: 2019
Mobile text alerts are one of many channels for sending and receiving emergency messaging. Currently, there are several ways to disseminate and receive text alerts including through mobile apps, subscription based services, social media and the Integrated Public Alert and Warnings System (IPAWS). This chapter focuses on Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), a component of IPAWS, and outlines the strengths, weaknesses, advantages, and threats (SWOT) to the intended effect of WEAs – to elicit protective action responses. The content presented in this chapter is based, in part, on surveys and interviews of FEMA approved alert authorities and surveys of populations at risk who receive WEAs. The combination of these studies allows for the examination of WEAs from two sides – disseminators (e.g. Emergency Management Agencies) and receivers (e.g. individuals located in or near the immediate threat). This comprehensive approach will examine effectiveness of WEAs along a continuum from the creation of messages by alert originators, the provision of WEA by wireless service providers and the receipt of WEA messages by people with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. Concerns related to government policy and practices, public awareness, availability and accessibility to specific populations at risk will be discussed. This chapter represents the integrated approach set forth by the book goals: (1) discussing the unique technical features of WEA (and IPAWS), (2) identifying the policy and practices that lead to use by alert authorities, and (3) highlighting the sociocultural considerations needed for WEAs to be effective.
Conferences
- Technology use by Workers with Disabilities in the Gig Economy
In: The 13th International Convention on Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology with Proceedings [Peer Reviewed]
Date: August 2019
- Wireless Emergency Communications State of the Technology Conference Online Proceedings (Co-Editor)
Date: 2010
Internet Publications
- The Nation's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, Part 1
In: Continuity Insights
Date: October 2014
- The Nation's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, Part 2
In: Continuity Insights
Date: October 2014
Posters
- Emergency Alert System (EAS) vs. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA).
In: Disaster Response and Mitigation Forum
Date: April 2016
- Accessible Wireless Emergency Alerts for People with Sensory Disabilities
In: Wearable Computing Center Forum
Date: October 2015
- Accessible Wireless Emergency Alerts for People with Sensory Disabilities
In: 2015 Annual Natural Hazards Research and applications Workshop
Date: July 2015
Presentations
- The Accessibility Divide in the Mobile Phone Market
In: CSUN Assistive Technology Conference
Date: March 2020
- The Accessibility of Wireless Emergency Communications: Updates from the Wireless RERC
In: The 12th RESKO Technical Conference with Proceedings [Peer Reviewed]
Date: November 2018
- Getting on the Record with the FCC: Public Input Process How To's
In: California State University Northridge (CSUN) Conference
Date: March 2018
- Strategies to Effect Policy Change
In: California State University Northridge (CSUN) Conference
Date: March 2017
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) vs. Emergency Alert System (EAS) National Survey Research Findings: Does the New Alerting, Technology Improve Accessibility?
In: Disaster Response and Mitigation Forum
Date: April 2016
- Optimizing Accessibility of Wireless Emergency Alerts: 2015 Survey Findings
In: 2016 California State University Northridge (CSUN) Conference
Date: March 2016
- Networked Accessibility. What are the opportunities and challenges for harnessing crowd plus cloud? [Panelist]
In: Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute State of the Science Conference
Date: December 2015
- Accessible Wireless Emergency Alerts for People with Sensory Disabilities
In: Wearable Computing Center Forum
Date: October 2015
- Analysis of Research Policy and Practices, Comprehensive Year One Deliverable Report
In: National Employer Policy, Research and Technical Assistance Center for Employers on the Employment of People with Disabilities
Date: October 2015
- FutureS of Disabilities
In: AT&T Advisory Panel on Access and Aging
Date: October 2015
- Public Response to Alerts and Warnings: Optimizing Ability of Message Receipt by People with Disabilities
In: Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate Webinar
Date: October 2015
- Reaching People with Disabilities: Wireless Emergency Alerting and Accessibility
In: Georgia Emergency Preparedness Coalition for People with Disabilities and Older Adults Webinar
Date: June 2015
- Futures of Disabilities: Results of a Delphi Survey
In: State of Technology Summit: Envisioning Inclusive Futures
Date: May 2015
- Futures of Disabilities: The Migration to a Digital World
In: 30th Annual International Technology & Disabilities Conference
Date: March 2015
- Emergency Planning and Response for the Whole Community: Information, Resources and Tools
In: 36th Annual Information & Referral Systems Training and Education Conference
Date: June 2014
- The Futures of Disabilities: Is Technology Failing Us?
In: 29th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference
Date: March 2014
- Overview of the Wireless RERC
In: Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) Accessibility Outreach Initiative Webinar
Date: June 2013
- Social Media, Public Emergencies & Disability
In: 28th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference
Date: February 2013
- Great Expectations: Keeping People with Disabilities Connected in a Wireless Future
In: The End of the Phone System Workshop with Proceedings [Peer Reviewed]
Date: May 2012
- Planning for Accessible Emergency Communications: Mobile Technology and Social Media
In: 2nd International Conference, Accessibility Reaching Everywhere (AEGIS) with Proceedings [Peer Reviewed]
Date: November 2011
- The Human Side of Regulation: Emergency Alerts
In: 8th @ WAS International Conference on Mobile Computing and Multimedia (MoMM2010)
Date: November 2010
- Assessing Accessible Alerting: A Case Study
In: 6th International Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing Conference with Proceedings [Peer Reviewed]
Date: June 2010
- Wireless Emergency Alerts: An Accessibility Study
In: 7th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management with Proceedings [Peer Reviewed]
Date: May 2010
- Emergency Alerting Made Accessible
In: Wireless Emergency Communications State of Technology Conference
Date: September 2009
- US Accessible Wireless Emergency Alerts for People with Disabilities: Realizing New Ideas
In: Include 2009: 5th International Conference on Inclusive Design with Proceedings [Peer Reviewed]
Date: April 2009
- US Regulation of the Emergency Alert System: the Accessibility Aspect
In: Include 2009: 5th International Conference on Inclusive Design with Proceedings [Peer Reviewed]
Date: April 2009
Reports
- Wireless RERC 202one State of Technology Forum Proceedings
Date: 2021
- Technological Innovations in Response to COVID-19
Date: 2020
This paper was written to advance convergence-oriented research in the hazards and disaster field. It highlights areas where additional research could contribute new knowledge to the response to and recovery from the pandemic. In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, states and localities in the United States issued stay-at-home orders and suggested social distancing measures. These widespread, unprecedented orders forced a large majority of nearly 330 million Americans to rely on technology to continue work, schooling, and other crucial societal functions. This Working Group is dedicated to reviewing the innovative uses of current technology and novel technology developed during the pandemic for response efforts and used by the public in daily life. The working group under which the paper was developed, is a part of the National Science Foundation-funded Social Science Extreme Events Research (SSEER) network and the CONVERGE facility housed at the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado Boulder.
- Analysis of Accessibility Features on Mobile Phones
Date: May 2018
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a statutory obligation to evaluate the impact of their regulations that implement the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA). Every two years the FCC submits a report to Congress on the state of industry compliance with the CVAA. In anticipation of the FCC's call for stakeholder input to inform their 2018 CVAA Biennial Report, the Wireless RERC conducted a 2017 Mobile Phone Accessibility Review (Accessibility Review/Review). Preliminary results of the review were submitted to the FCC[i] in response to the request for “input on the state of accessibility of “mobile” or wireless services, including basic phones and feature phones (collectively referred to herein as non-smartphones), as well as smartphones.”[ii] This report contains the full summary and comparative analyses.
[i] Mitchell, H., LaForce, S., Moon, N., Baker, P.M.A., Garcia, A., & Jacobs, B. (2018, May 3). Comments submitted in response to the Public Notice in the Matter of The Accessibility of Communications Technologies for the 2018 Biennial Report Required by the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act [CG Docket No. 10-213, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau]. Federal Communications Commission: Washington, D.C.
[ii] Federal Communications Commission. (2018). FCC Invites Public Comment in the Preparation of Biennial Report to Congress. Retrieved from https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-340A1.pdf
Other Publications
- Breaking Barriers In the US
In: Ability Magazine
Date: 2009