International Symposium: Programs: Summary: Session M11E

It is estimated that 54 million United States residents have some type of disability. This is expected to worsen by 2030 when the over 65 population, a population that frequently faces hearing and visual limitations, will be more than 20% of the total U.S. population. The Wireless RERC notes that people with disabilities are users of wireless products and services. As more users with disabilities rely on wireless devices as their primary source of communications, they need to be included in emergency notifications.
Wireless technologies have the potential to create accessible, low-cost devices with the capacity to provide emergency messaging and information. This presentation discusses the testing and development of wireless emergency communications software and methods of transmitting emergency messages quickly to people with disabilities. Included in the discussion are customized applications for presenting emergency messages; creation of prototype software to add-on to handheld devices that are affordable and capable of receiving audio and SMS alerts and emergency messages; messaging techniques to disseminate timely emergency warnings and alerts; and thoughts on universal design elements which could be used by wireless manufacturers and designers of AT equipment for the incorporation of alerting capabilities into new devices entering the marketplace.