Background: On January 31, 2006, NJN was the first public broadcasting station in the nation to demonstrate the prototype of an enhanced emergency message for individuals with disabilities, utilizing NJN’s statewide DTV signal and datacasting capacities and content developed by SpectraRep and the National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM). Subsequently, NJN and the New Jersey State Library for the Blind and Handicapped joined forces to convene a meeting of individuals representing the hearing and visually impaired and to begin a discussion about the emergency communications needs of individuals with disabilities. Advisory Committee: The Advisory Committee to Increase Access for Emergency Communications was launched as part of this emergency alert initiative. The goal for this Committee is to evaluate and create a road map to see how technology can be employed to provide effective messaging for special needs residents in the event of an emergency. Survey: Please help us by completing this survey and sharing it with the membership of your organization. We would like as many people to respond as possible. The survey is designed to gather some important information about how emergency communications are handled in New Jersey and what best practices exist for the content and technology associated with this messaging. The information will be kept confidential and used only for NJN’s project. If you need any information about this Advisory Committee or the emergency alert survey, please contact Carol Tomson at NJN by phone at (609) 777-5058, by email ctomson@njn.org , or by mail to NJN, P.O. Box 777, Trenton, NJ 08625-0777 Attention: Carol Tomson. Thank you so much completing this survey and returning it to NJN! Name __________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________ Email _______________________________________ Phone ______________________________ I am best described as (check one):
I am completing this survey representing (check one):
I. Identification: What are the methods for identifying New Jersey’s population with sensory disabilities? 1. What are the most common methods that first responders have to help identify residents with sensory disabilities in order to help those who need notification and/or assistance to evacuate from their home or offices if necessary? (Check all that apply)
2. Does your community have a formal sign-up program?
3. How are residents notified of this program's existence?
4. How do residents sign up?
5. Is there any way to know what percentage of the disabled population is taking advantage of the program?
6. Are there concerns about privacy or a lack of awareness that keeps residents from availing themselves from being identified for a registry or list for emergency services? If so, what would make them feel better about signing up? ________________________________________________________________________________
7. In what ways is it important to be sensitive to the diversity of people with disabilities when we notify them of an emergency (Check all that apply)?
II. Technology: How do we best use technology (ranging from non-technical to technical devices for receipt of emergency information) to provide emergency alerts for people with special needs? 1. What are the best ways to alert people with special needs about an emergency alert? (Check the top three)
2. For the technical savvy users, what are the preferred devices to warn of an emergency alert?
3. Would you and members of your community be willing or able to purchase a new handheld device if it were to increase the options for accessible and/or targeted alerts?
4. Would you and members of your community purchase receiving equipment like GPS (Global Positioning Systems) to increase the options for accessible and/or targeted alerts?
5. What method do you use to get information on an emergency alert? (Please describe) _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________
III. Content of Emergency Message: How do we develop the content and language of emergency communications so that it will be meaningful and effective for the special needs population? 1. What are the three most important facts about emergency alert messaging that should be included in a public service announcement that will probably air on NJN television?
2. What message components are most important when someone describes an emergency event? _________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Are there limitations on message length in terms of numbers of characters? _________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Are there key words or icons that need to be included in a message, particularly for people with literacy issues or for whom English is not their native language?
5. Do you think geo-targeted information (message based on specific geographic location) is an important component of emergency messaging?
6. Would the use of a unique alerting audio tone or vibration signal for emergency alerts be helpful?
IV. Emergency Alert Messaging in Your Area: How are emergency messages 1. Who compiles the content of emergency alerting messages to be distributed to consumers in your jurisdiction?
2. Who is responsible for localizing or enhancing content of these emergency alert messages (such as evacuation routes, lists of shelters, current path of tornado)?
3. Are there are any formal authorization processes for providing this additional information?
4. Where are consumers directed in the message to obtain more information? _________________________________________________________________________________ 5. What do you think is the biggest challenge in your jurisdiction to creating a program that gives emergency information, insufficient funding, low prioritization, lack of knowledge, other? _________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Are there emergency alert initiatives in your area or elsewhere across the country that are effective and you think should be replicated throughout New Jersey? If so, what are they? _________________________________________________________________________________
V. Questions for People Who Are Hard of Hearing or Deaf 1. For those people who are hard of hearing or deaf, what is the preferred way to receive emergency information/notification? (Number your top three choices.)
3. What are the issues affecting tech-savvy residents who are hard of hearing or deaf? (Check all that apply)
4. What are the important considerations for content of emergency messages for hearing impaired or deaf residents? (Number your top three choices)
5. Describe the system that you use now: ______________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Is this system location or text specific? _________________________________________________________________________________
VI. Questions for People Who Are Visually Impaired or Blind 1. For those residents who are visually impaired or blind, what is the preferred way to receive emergency information/notification? (Check top three)
2. What are the ideal ways to convey messages for non-tech-savvy residents who are visually impaired or blind?
3. What are the issues affecting tech-savvy residents who are blind or visually impaired? (Check all that apply)
4. What are the important considerations for content of emergency messages (Check all that apply)
5. For a wireless device, would it be helpful to be able to press a button to have the message repeated?
6. For people who have low vision, do adequate options exist to adjust screen display for wireless devices?
7. Describe the system that you use now: _______________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________
VII. Questions for People who are Deaf and Blind 1. For residents who are deaf and blind, what is the preferred way to receive emergency information/notification?
2. What is the preferred way for non-technical residents who are deaf and blind to receive an emergency alert?
3. What is the preferred way for tech-savvy residents who are deaf and blind to receive an emergency alert?
4. What are the important considerations for content of emergency messages for residents who are deaf and blind? (Check top three)
5. Describe the system that you use now: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ Please return survey to NJN. Use additional sheets if needed. |
