🚨 Crisis Guide — Easy Read
This is the Easy Read version. Words are simple. Sentences are short.
What This Is
This guide helps people in emergencies.
It helps emergency workers send alerts.
It helps everyone — including people with disabilities.
📢 How to Send a Good Alert
Use Plain Words
Use short, simple words.
Bad: “Residents are advised to evacuate immediately.”
Good: “Leave now. Go to [place].”
Use Many Channels
Do not send only one type of alert.
Send your message in many ways:
- 📱 Text message (SMS)
- 📻 Radio
- 📺 TV
- 💻 Social media
- 🚪 Door-to-door visits
- ☎️ Phone calls
- 🔊 Sirens
Make Alerts Accessible
Every alert needs these versions:
- ✅ Large text version
- ✅ Easy Read version
- ✅ ASL video (when possible)
- ✅ Audio version
- ✅ Other languages
Test Before an Emergency
Test your alerts with real people:
- People who are blind
- People who are deaf
- People with cognitive disabilities
- People with mobility disabilities
- People who speak other languages
📋 Standards to Follow
WCAG 2.2 Level AA Makes sure screen readers work.
WSG 1.0 Makes sure slow internet works.
CAN-ASC-6.4 Canadian rules for emergency access.
Plain Language Grade 6 reading level. Everyone understands faster.
✅ Before an Emergency
Do these things now:
- Find people who need extra help.
- Make contact lists.
- Test all alert channels.
- Train your staff.
- Practice drills.
✅ During an Emergency
Do these things right away:
- Send the first alert. Keep it short.
- Send the alert on all channels.
- Update every 30–60 minutes.
- Confirm people got the message.
- Give people specific actions to take.
✅ After an Emergency
Do these things when it is over:
- Send the all-clear message.
- Share recovery resources.
- Write down what worked.
- Update your procedures.
- Retrain staff.
⚡ Why This Version Exists
Networks get overloaded in emergencies.
This version is very small (~5 KB).
It works on slow internet.
It works on 2G networks.
It works when batteries are low.
Get Help
🐙 GitHub
🐛 Report problems with GitHub Issues.