DHS - Science and Technology

On May 7, 2014, Georgia Tech’s Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP) was notified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science and Technology Directorate that their contract was funded. The overarching mission of the research is to integrate an accessible emergency communications ecosystem within the wireless environment. The award was for approximately $600,000 for duration of 18 months, May 2014 – October 2015. The CACP Collaborative team objectives are to

  1. Ensure the same timely and effective access to alerts and warnings for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and

  2. Improve understanding of public response to mobile alerts and warnings

Specifically, the team explores ways to maximize message diffusion to people who are deaf and hard-of-hearing and address barriers identified in prior wireless emergency alert (WEA) field testing conducted in 2008-2009. Additionally, CACP conducts focus group and survey research to gather data on WEA awareness, accessibility, and actions taken upon message receipt.