At its September 29, 2022, Open Commission Meeting, the FCC adopted a Report and Order to make messages from the Emergency Alert System (EAS) more accessible and easier to understand.
The Report and Order:
- Directs EAS Participants, including radio broadcasters, television broadcasters, and operators of satellite, cable TV, and wireline video services, to transmit certain messages in an IP-based format rather than the versions in the legacy EAS format, which usually convey less information; and,
- Requires EAS Participants to replace the technical jargon that now automatically appears in the text of certain messages, including EAS test announcements, with plain language that will be more easily understood by the public and provide more accurate information for individuals who cannot access the audio message.
News Release:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-improves-emergency-alert-system-messages
Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-387722A1.docx
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-387722A1.pdf
Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-387722A1.txt
Report and Order:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-improves-emergency-alert-system-messages
Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-22-75A1.docx
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-22-75A1.pdf
Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-22-75A1.txt
For general information about EAS accessibility, visit: https://www.fcc.gov/eas-faq-accessibility. For specific questions on the EAS item, please contact Bill Wallace, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 418-2716, or William.Wallace@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).