Federal / Regulatory

Wireless RERC Principal Investigator, Dr. Helena Mitchell, and Project Director, Salimah LaForce, presented at the 2018 CSUN Assistive Technology Conference. Their presentation provided useful tips on how to submit comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and contribute to disability stakeholder representation in the FCC’s public input process. Wireless RERC policy input through the years has had a significant impact on rules governing disability access to current...

Brianna J. Tomlinson, of the School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, presented at the 2018 CSUN Assistive Technology Conference. She discussed a study that explored how enhancing interactive science simulations with sonifications can scaffold interaction and learning for students with cognitive impairments. The use of sonification technology, developed by Dr. Bruce Walker, is integral to Wireless RERC work that is investigating next-generation auditory...

This paper brief describes approaches that could encourage the use of FM Radio (specifically the FM chip) via mobile devices as an emergency information source. The intent is to supply unbiased considerations to help ensure that individuals with disabilities and other populations disproportionately impacted by disasters have alternative and accessible means to receive emergency information when cell coverage is disrupted, and access to power is limited.

U.S. Federal agencies are responsible for governing emergency communications systems capable of effectively and expeditiously notifying the public. There are several approaches to communicate with the public, but they are limited to cellular networks and cable systems. These limitations are susceptible to damaged cell towers and power outages which can leave people without a means of attaining information in the wake of and during a disaster event. Opening other channels of communication,...