Advanced

News & Events

FEMA & FCC Adopt Standards for Wireless Carriers to Receive and Deliver Emergency Alerts Via Mobile Devices
The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have announced the adoption of the design specifications for the development of a gateway interface that will enable wireless carriers to provide customers with timely and accurate emergency alerts and warnings via their cell phones and other mobile devices. To ensure that persons with disabilities who subscribe to wireless services receive these emergency alerts, the FCC adopted rules in 2008 that will require participating wireless carriers to transmit messages with both vibration cadence and audio attention signals.
International Conference on Rebuilding Sustainable Communities with the Elderly & Disabled People after Disasters

The Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities after Disasters (CRSCAD) at the University of Massachusetts Boston is hosting this July 12-15, 2010 conference to bring together stakeholders from around the world to share information and develop strategies around some of the core issues concerning the place of the elderly and people with disabilities in local, regional, national and international post-disaster reconstruction policies, plans and programs. CRSCAD is also sponsoring an international student essay competition on the topic of the conference. The deadline for submitting materials for presentation and the Student Competition is January 30, 2010.

HUD & DHS Launch New Web Site to Receive Public Input on Disaster Recovery

The departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Homeland Security (DHS) have announced the launch of DisasterRecoveryWorkingGroup.gov, a new interagency website that will allow stakeholders to submit ideas for disaster recovery; articulate objectives for recovery assistance going forward; identify examples of best practices; raise challenges and obstacles to success; and share thoughts, experiences and lessons learned. Respond to the questionnaire to provide your input.

Survey on Assistive Technology Reuse & Emergency Planning, Management and Response

The Pass It On Center is developing an emergency response system based on an existing network of Assistive Technology (AT) Centers. At the foundation of this project is a national survey designed to develop an understanding of the current involvement of a variety of programs in efforts related to assistive technology reuse and emergency planning, management and response. Information obtained will be vital to developing effective emergency response systems for all populations.

Effective Emergency Management: Making Improvements for Communities & People with Disabilities
The National Council on Disability (NCD) has released a report calling on federal, state and local authorities to make sweeping changes in emergency management practices for people with disabilities.
FCC Reports on Informal Consumer Complaints Regarding Access to Telecommunications for People with Disabilities

The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau has announced information about informal consumer complaints processed by its Disability Rights Office during the first quarter of 2009. The complaints covered access to telecommunications services and equipment, telecommunications relay services (TRS), closed captioning, accessibility of video programming providing emergency information, and hearing aid compatibility.

A Message from the Acting Surgeon General--The USPHS Commissioned Corps: A Global Emergency Preparedness & Response Asset
The U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, one of our nation's most important, yet perhaps least known, public health resources. As America's uniformed public health professionals, the Commissioned Corps' 6,200-plus officers are trained and equipped to respond to any national health threat, including public health crises and national emergencies. This link opens a PDF document.

This site adheres to Section 508 and WCAG1 AA.

Version: 5.0.2