Accessible Hazard Alert System – Accessible AlertSanDiego

About the Program

Category: Risk and Emergency Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

The County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services (OES) created and implemented an Accessible Hazard Alert System (AHAS) called Accessible AlertSanDiego to provide a regional system to improve the emergency alerts for residents with sensory disabilities (deaf, blind, hard of hearing, or deaf/blind). Deaf Community Services of San Diego estimates that in San Diego County, there are approximately 7,500 residents who are Deaf and use American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary language, while another 150,000 residents are “late deafened” or hard of hearing. Accessible AlertSanDiego increases communication capabilities with the segment of the population that has sensory disabilities. San Diego County contracted DeafLink to provide 24/7/365 emergency information to individuals with sensory disabilities. Alerts are produced in American Sign Language (ASL) video with English voice and text. Additionally, alerts are accessible for individuals with sensory disabilities over internet and video capable devices such as cell phones, computers, smart phones, tablet computers, and wireless Braille readers. Accessible AlertSanDiego serves as an effective public communication platform, integrating accessible messaging into Emergency Public Information and Warning capabilities.