Comments due: June 12, 2024
Reply Comments due: July 12, 2024
On October 19, 2023, the FCC adopted rules to require participating wireless providers to make available certain Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) in the thirteen most commonly spoken languages in the United States and in American Sign Language (ASL) in addition to English, and to allow consumers to opt-in to receive ASL WEA alerts. On February 15, 2024, the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on 18 proposed WEA emergency message templates provided in these different languages and in ASL. On May 13, 2024, the comment due dates for filing comments and reply comments were established by publication in the Federal Register.
The availability of WEAs in all these languages at the option of the device owner will help ensure these messages are accessible to as many people as possible. At present, WEAs are only available in English and Spanish.
With regard to the video messages signed in ASL, the FCC seeks comment on the effectiveness of the ASL videos as well as the format and production of the ASL videos. The proposed templates for ASL are not final and are presented solely for the purpose of seeking comment on what the final templates should be. The link to the ASL video sample templates are here: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless-emergency-alert-templates-american-sign-language-asl.
Interested parties may file comments by accessing the Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings must reference PS Docket Nos. 15-91 and 15-94. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.
Link to the February 15, 2024 WEA Templates Public Notice:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-seeks-comment-multilingual-wireless-emergency-alerts
Link to the May 13, 2024 Comments Due Dates Public Notice:
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-24-453A1.pdf
For information regarding WEA accessibility, visit https://www.fcc.gov/wea-accessibility. For specific information regarding the multilingual alert Public Notice, contact Joshua Gehret, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau at (202) 418-7816 or Joshua.Gehret@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in ASL may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).