ACCESSIBLE AND ASSISTIVE

APPS AND SOLUTIONS IN

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Christian Vogler, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Director,

Technology Access Program

Gallaudet University

http://tap.gallaudet.edu/

christian.vogler@gallaudet.edu

Emergency Communications

•Normal considerations about the

installation and use of apps do not

apply to emergency communications

• Normally: Install, learn, and use at your

own pace

•Consider the following data from the

Emergency Access Advisory

Committee (EAAC) survey:

EAAC Survey

• EAAC, Report on Emergency Calling for Persons with Disabilities Survey Review and Analysis 2011, July 21, 2011, available at http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/EAAC/EAAC-REPORT.pdf

• Most respondents (> 60%) were deaf, hard of hearing, or late-deafened; other disabilities: cognitive, blind, low vision, mobility

Communication Barriers

• Some common barriers that people with disabilities encounter while contacting 9-1-1:

• Do not have a device that can contact 9-1-1

• Primary mode of communication is not supported by 9-1-1

• No answer/busy signal/got disconnected

• Device in possession does not allow effective communication with 9-1-1

• Afraid that person would not be able to communicate with dispatcher

• Dispatcher could not understand person’s needs

Demand for Mobile Communication

1547

1835

1596

1200

882

163

How would you prefer to contact 9-1-1? (multiple

responses permitted; n=2970)

Emergency communication is rare

Never 66%

1-2 times 26%

3-5 times 6%

More than 6 times 2%

How often did you call 9-1-1 in the

past 2 years? (n=3081)

Importance of Everyday Communication Somewhat

12% Not very 2%

Not at all 3%

Very 83%

In the future: How important is it to call 9-1-1 using the

same devices that you typically use to communicate with

friends and coworkers every day? (n=3046)

Importance of Direct Access Somewhat

15%

Not very 4%

Not at all 4%

Very 77%

How important is direct communication with 9-1-1

(instead of via a relay service)? (n=2988)

Key findings

•Emergency communications are rare

•Direct access is required

•Familiarity is required (i.e. emergency

communications should be the same

as everyday communications)

Emergency apps?

• Thinking about writing a special app for accessible emergency communications?

•Don’t!

• People may not even install it

• People may be too stressed to find special app after installation

• People may be too stressed to figure out unfamiliar interface in app

• People cannot make test calls (easily) to learn

Emergency apps?

•Better: Find a way to integrate app in target group’s everyday use of device

• E.g. REACH 112 Total Conversation app allows point-to-point calls

•Even better: Find a way to make standard communication functionality of device accessible for emergencies

• Consistent with Universal Design philosophy

Acknowledgments

• The contents of this presentation were developed with funding from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education, grant number H133E090001 (RERC on Telecommunications Access). However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.