{"id":1864,"date":"2013-06-18T12:24:51","date_gmt":"2013-06-18T16:24:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.equipmentlink.org\/blog\/?p=1864"},"modified":"2013-06-18T12:24:51","modified_gmt":"2013-06-18T16:24:51","slug":"accessible-emergency-alerts-61813","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.equipmentlink.org\/blog\/?p=1864","title":{"rendered":"Accessible Emergency Alerts, 6\/18\/13"},"content":{"rendered":"

Accessible Emergency Alerts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contributed by Joel Zimba, Special Projects Coordinator, MDTAP<\/em><\/p>\n

Over the weekend AT&T pushed a Carrier Update to iPhones, specifically the 4S and 5, though there are reports of iPhone 4 receiving the update as well.\u00a0 This update to the carrier settings enables emergency alerts from AT&T.<\/p>\n

After installing the update, I now have a new section in Notifications called “Government Alerts.”\u00a0 There are two settings–Amber Alerts and Emergency Alerts.\u00a0 Apparently, these can either be toggled on or off.<\/p>\n

There are several services which can send out text messages or e-mail alerts for emergencies, but this service will work differently.\u00a0 You will receive emergency alerts based on your current location, which makes more sense.<\/p>\n

It’s unclear just how this service is implemented.\u00a0 As it is provided by the carrier, the alerts may work more reliably and be sent out sooner than those from a 3rd party service.\u00a0\u00a0This is a great way to stay abreast of emergency situations in your area.<\/p>\n

Television and radio stations have provided alerts for some time, though these are not fully accessible.\u00a0 Now, even the deaf blind population will be served appropriately simply by connecting a Braille Display to an iDevice.<\/p>\n

This feature will eventually be supported by all smartphones on all carriers.\u00a0\u00a0 Given the wild weather we have had so far in Baltimore this Summer, I imagine it won’t be long before we see these alerts in action.<\/p>\n

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