Emergency preparedness and emergency communication access: lessons learned since 9/11 and recommendations

The events of September 11, 2001 and its aftermath exposed many glaring weaknesses in the emergency preparedness infrastructure that compromise the safety and security of 28 million Americans who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened and deaf-blind. Experiences with emergencies during the past three years continue to reinforce the urgent need for these weaknesses to be addressed.This report includes an extensive list of recommendations designed to increase the number and variety of communication options, ensure reliability, and build in redundancy.