Resource Directory: Global Standards & Accessibility
This page links to important resources for emergency communication.
These resources help you make emergency information that everyone can use.
They cover accessibility, sustainability, plain language, digital-to-physical resilience, and multi-platform communications.
1. Global Design & Media Accessibility Research
These resources come from the GDA (Global Design for All) community.
They focus on media, technology, and design for everyone.
GDA 2024: Book of Abstracts
Link: GDA 2024 Book of Abstracts
Useful For: Deep dives into “Media Accessibility” and “Digital Government” as a human right.
Who it’s for: Researchers, digital strategists, and accessibility architects.
Why it matters: It has the latest ideas (2024-2026) on how to move from basic accessibility to full digital access for everyone.
Global Design for All (GDA) 2023 Conference
Link: GDA 2023 Conference
Useful For: Learning about “Design for All” after the pandemic.
Who it’s for: Policy makers and emergency leaders.
Why it matters: The presentations show how technology can help or hurt vulnerable people during crises.
2. Plain Language & Easy Read Standards
Cognitive accessibility is often ignored in disaster prep.
These guides show the “Stress-Ready” layouts you need.
ASAN: One Idea Per Line Guide
Link: One Idea Per Line
Useful For: A visual template that puts one instruction on each line.
This reduces mental load.
Why it matters: This is the “survival layout” for neurodivergent people and people in shock.
18F Content Guide: Plain Language Approach
Link: 18F Plain Language
Useful For: Ways to cut government speak from your alerts.
Who it’s for: Government communications teams.
Why it matters: Direct, clear instructions save time and lives during disasters.
Plain Language and Easy Read Guide
Link: Plain Language and Easy Read Guide (Center on Disability)
Useful For: Knowing the difference between Plain Language and Easy Read.
Who it’s for: Public information officers and content designers.
Why it matters: Easy Read formats give life-saving instructions with simple text and pictures.
People with intellectual disabilities need this format during disasters.
CalHR Plain Language Guide
Link: CalHR Plain Language Guide
Useful For: A step-by-step toolkit to turn jargon into clear instructions.
Who it’s for: Government employees and communications teams.
Why it matters: It teaches “Action-Oriented” writing for evacuation orders and safety checklists.
Face-to-Face Communications During Emergencies
Link: Face-to-Face Communications During Emergencies (ASC)
Useful For: Practical steps for first responders who work with people with disabilities.
Who it’s for: First responders, emergency managers, and volunteer leaders.
Why it matters: It shows the “human-to-human” bridge when digital tools fail.
3. Translation Layer: Standards to Practice
This table shows how WCAG 2.2, WSG 1.0, and Plain Language work together in emergency communications.
Your site acts as a Translation Layer between technical standards and practical emergency needs:
| Pillar | WCAG 2.2 Role | WSG 1.0 Role | Plain Language Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alerts | Ensures screen readers can announce “Flash Alerts” immediately. | Minimizes payload so alerts don’t fail on congested networks. | Replaces “Evacuate the vicinity” with “Leave the area now.” |
| Maps | Requires text-alternatives for GIS data and high-contrast color. | Uses SVG instead of heavy JPGs to save battery and data. | Focuses on clear landmarks rather than complex coordinates. |
| Manuals | Mandates tagged PDFs or (better) accessible HTML. | Encourages “Offline-First” via PWAs (Progressive Web Apps). | Uses “How-To” active voice for medical/prep instructions. |
Why This Matters
WCAG 2.2 ensures technology can access information.
WSG 1.0 ensures information reaches users on failing infrastructure.
Plain Language ensures users can understand and act on information under stress.
All three must work together for effective emergency communication.
4. Digital-to-Physical Resilience & Distributed Manufacturing
Digital assets must be designed with their physical “afterlife” in mind.
The Strategy: Digital-to-Physical Resilience
The goal is to ensure that digital assets are designed with their physical “afterlife” in mind:
The Green Web Foundation
Link: Green Web Foundation
Useful For: Checking if your hosting is powered by sustainable energy.
Why it matters: If local grids fail, resilient hosting matters.
UNDRR Strategic Framework 2026-2030
Link: UNDRR Framework
Useful For: Understanding global shifts toward locally-led disaster reduction.
Who it’s for: Policy makers, digital architects, and NGOs.
Why it matters: It mandates that digital resilience must be equitable.
EN 301 549 (European Standard for ICT Accessibility)
Link: EN 301 549
Useful For: Comprehensive digital standard for hardware, mobile apps, and biometric systems.
Who it’s for: Developers, procurement officers, and UX designers.
Why it matters: It incorporates WCAG 2.2 and is the global baseline for legal compliance.
4. Digital-to-Physical Resilience & Distributed Manufacturing
The Strategy: Ensure digital assets are designed with their physical “afterlife” in mind.
Distributed Manufacturing & Medical Supplies
Glia: Open Source Medical Devices
Link: Glia
Useful For: 3D-printable medical supplies (tourniquets, stethoscopes, otoscopes).
Who it’s for: Field medics, community response teams, and local manufacturers.
Why it matters: In a disaster, supply chains break. Glia allows communities to “print” their own medical infrastructure using digital files downloaded before the crisis.
Clinical Validation: Glia’s stethoscope has demonstrated comparable frequency response to traditional models in published research, including validation studies by healthcare professionals using the devices in clinical settings. The stethoscopes have been used by practitioners in multiple countries. However, effectiveness depends on:
- Print material quality and printer calibration
- Proper assembly following exact specifications
- User training on the specific device
- Regular maintenance and inspection
Important: Not all 3D-printed medical devices have clinical validation. Verify specific model certifications and review published studies before use in clinical settings. Performance may vary based on manufacturing conditions. For Glia-specific research and clinical validation documentation, visit Glia.org/research.
Field Ready: Local Manufacturing for Humanitarian Relief
Link: Field Ready
Useful For: Using 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC routing for immediate logistical problems.
Who it’s for: Disaster relief professionals and local makerspaces.
Why it matters: They pioneer “localized response,” turning digital designs into physical solutions within minutes.
Print-Ready Emergency Guides & Templates
Red Cross: “Be Red Cross Ready” Printed Checklists
Link: Red Cross Emergency Plans
Useful For: Simple, one-page printable templates for family communication plans.
Who it’s for: Individuals and families.
Why it matters: Designed with high-contrast layouts that are legible even on low-quality printers.
Open Library: Emergency Medical Manuals
Link: Open Library
Useful For: Digital copies of “Where There Is No Doctor” or “Survival Medicine” manuals.
Who it’s for: Community leaders and emergency volunteers.
Why it matters: These books are designed for offline, physical use.
Tactile & Sensory Physical Media
LightHouse for the Blind: Tactile Map Automated Production (TMAP)
Link: TMAP
Useful For: On-demand tactile maps that can be printed on braille embossers.
Who it’s for: Blind and low-vision individuals and emergency planners.
Why it matters: Standard visual maps are useless in a disaster for the blind. TMAP turns digital GIS data into physical, touchable navigation tools.
Tactile Graphics Resources (NCAM)
Link: NCAM
Useful For: Guidelines on turning complex digital diagrams into tactile formats.
Who it’s for: Web designers and accessibility specialists.
Why it matters: Ensures the “physical transition” of information includes those with sensory disabilities.
Technology for Offline Portability
Kiwix: Offline Wikipedia & Educational Content
Link: Kiwix
Useful For: Compressing and downloading entire websites to act as an offline resource.
Who it’s for: Shelter managers and educators.
Why it matters: Allows a single laptop or Raspberry Pi to serve as a “Digital Library” for a whole shelter when the internet is gone.
Internet Archive: Digital Emergency Library
Link: Internet Archive Emergency Medicine
Useful For: A curated collection of manuals and guides for survival and emergency medicine.
Who it’s for: Public safety officers and researchers.
Why it matters: Acts as a permanent repository for files that need to be downloaded now to be printed later.
Digital-to-Physical Strategy: Key Principles
- Linearized & Print-Ready Docs: Design PDFs and web pages with high-contrast, black-and-white CSS for low-ink printing.
- Tactile Readiness: Ensure maps and checklists can be translated into tactile formats (Braille or raised-line drawings).
- The “Grab-and-Go” Physical Backup: Print QR codes that link to local maps, insurance documents, and medical registries.
5. Advanced Digital Accessibility & Multi-Platform Emergency Communications
Strategic Planning & Policy Frameworks
FEMA: Planning Considerations for Putting People First (2024)
Link: FEMA Planning Guide (Wayback)
Useful For: Integrating “Whole Community” planning with equity and accessibility.
Who it’s for: Emergency managers and community planners.
Why it matters: Foundational logic for modern FEMA response.
Section 508: Emergency Response Policy Framework
Link: Section 508 Emergency Response
Useful For: Ensuring federal digital communications meet accessibility compliance.
Who it’s for: Government IT staff, digital content creators, and compliance officers.
Why it matters: Provides the legal and technical baseline for accessibility in the U.S. federal government.
ASIS Online: Inclusive Security Policies and Response Plans (2025)
Link: ASIS Inclusive Security
Useful For: Bridging physical security and inclusive emergency protocols.
Who it’s for: Security professionals and facilities managers.
Why it matters: Highlights the 2025 shift toward treating accessibility as a core component of safety.
Multi-Platform & Tactical Communication
King County: Inclusive Communications Program
Link: King County Inclusive Communications
Useful For: Localized model for multi-platform outreach.
Who it’s for: Municipal and regional emergency communicators.
Why it matters: Demonstrates how to move beyond a single social media channel.
SIRCOM: Ensuring Inclusivity and Accessibility in EAS
Link: SIRCOM EAS
Useful For: Technical requirements for Emergency Alert Systems (EAS).
Who it’s for: Broadcast engineers and public information officers.
Why it matters: Focuses on the “No One Left Behind” principle in mass alerting.
Important Context on Alert Systems:
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA):
- WEA is mandated in the US but has known limitations
- Character support varies by region and carrier
- As of 2026, full Unicode support is not universal
- Non-English character sets (Chinese, Arabic, etc.) may not display correctly on all devices
- Spanish language support is more widely available but not guaranteed
- Always test WEA messages on multiple devices and carriers before relying on them
Alert Opt-In Rates: Research and municipal data indicate that opt-in rates for non-mandatory alert systems often remain below 40%. This underscores the critical need for:
- Multiple distribution channels (not relying on opt-in alone)
- Automatic enrollment where legally permitted
- Regular promotion of alert registration
- Alternative notification methods (sirens, door-to-door, community networks)
- Assumption that opt-in systems will miss the majority of residents
Multi-Channel Strategy: Never rely on a single alert channel. Use redundant methods to maximize reach.
Convey911: Emergency Communication System Innovations
Link: Convey911
Useful For: Cloud-based technologies for real-time translation and multi-channel interaction with 911.
Who it’s for: Dispatchers and public safety technologists.
Why it matters: Shows how modern platforms bypass traditional voice-only limitations.
Academic & Technological Research
ScienceDirect: Advances in Inclusive Disaster Technology (2025)
Link: ScienceDirect Research (2025)
Useful For: Peer-reviewed data on emerging technologies (AI and IoT) for disaster resilience.
Who it’s for: Researchers, academics, and tech developers.
Why it matters: Provides empirical evidence for investment in accessible digital infrastructure.
Springer: Universal Access in Emergency Digital Interfaces (2025)
Link: Springer Research (2025)
Useful For: Analyzing usability of digital emergency interfaces under stress.
Who it’s for: UX researchers and interface designers.
Why it matters: Addresses “cognitive accessibility” required in high-pressure disaster situations.
EENA: Technological Breakthroughs in Inclusive Comms
Link: EENA Blog
Useful For: Insights into how European emergency standards drive global innovations.
Who it’s for: European and international emergency management agencies.
Why it matters: Shows how regulatory pressure for inclusion leads to better technology for all users.
Implementation Best Practices
Everbridge: Addressing Access and Functional Needs (AFN)
Link: Everbridge AFN
Useful For: Practical guidance for communicating with “Access and Functional Needs” populations.
Who it’s for: Crisis managers and software administrators.
Why it matters: Reflects industry-standard implementation for inclusive alerts.
CivicPlus: Accessible Resident Communications
Link: CivicPlus Communications
Useful For: Tips for maintaining accessible websites and notification systems.
Who it’s for: Local government webmasters and communications directors.
Why it matters: Emphasizes that digital accessibility must be a continuous practice.
HSToday: FEMA Inclusive Emergency Management Guide
Link: HSToday FEMA Guide
Useful For: Summary of newly released federal guidelines for building inclusive response frameworks.
Who it’s for: Homeland security professionals and emergency planners.
Why it matters: Provides high-level overview of current federal expectations.
6. Implementation & Advocacy Tools
P-CEP (Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness) Toolkit
Link: P-CEP Toolkit
Useful For: Capability-based framework for mapping support needs (Communication, Mobility, Power).
Who it’s for: Individuals with disabilities, caregivers, and emergency planners.
Why it matters: Replaces generic checklists with a dynamic “Capability Wheel.”
The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (PIDS)
Link: PIDS
Useful For: Accessing the “25 Commandments for Disability Inclusion” and legislative templates.
Who it’s for: Advocacy groups and community leaders.
Why it matters: They lead the push for the REAADI for Disasters Act.
TapSOS Emergency App
Link: TapSOS
Useful For: Non-verbal emergency reporting (911/999) using a visual, icon-based interface.
Who it’s for: People who are Deaf, non-verbal, or in high-stress “situational” crises.
Why it matters: Perfect example of high-utility, low-bandwidth data exchange.
FEMA Office of Disability Integration and Coordination (ODIC)
Link: FEMA ODIC
Useful For: Official technical assistance for inclusive emergency management.
Who it’s for: Government agencies and first responders.
Why it matters: Sets the standards for accessible digital registries and inclusive communication.
Get Prepared Canada - People with Disabilities
Link: Get Prepared Canada
Useful For: Practical “offline-ready” templates and 72-hour guides.
Who it’s for: Citizens and local municipal planners.
Why it matters: Provides content that should be emulated in an accessible, low-bandwidth web format.
7. Implementation Matrix: The “Emergency Mode” Logic
Use this matrix to check resources on your site:
| Pillar | Success Metric | Why it Matters in Crisis |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | WCAG 2.2 / EN 301 549 | Screen readers and switch-controls must work during evacuations. |
| Sustainability | WSG 1.0 Compliance | Saves data and battery for users on weak signals. |
| Clarity | Grade 6 Plain Language | People under stress cannot think clearly. Simple words help. |
| Persistence | Permanent Archive.org Link | Information stays available even if the source goes offline. |
How to Use These Resources
For Emergency Communications Teams
- Start with Plain Language: Read the 18F and ASAN guides
- Check Technical Standards: Use WCAG 2.2 and WSG 1.0 as checklists
- Read Academic Research: Look at GDA materials for big-picture thinking
For Policy Makers
- Understand the “Why”: Read GDA conference presentations
- Set Requirements: Use the Implementation Matrix to define standards
- Check Compliance: Do regular checks against all four areas
For Developers
- Build to Standards: WCAG 2.2 Level AA minimum
- Optimize for Crisis: WSG 1.0 for low-bandwidth situations
- Test Resilience: Make sure content works offline and on old devices
Summary: Multi-Platform Digital Redundancy Checklist
Based on these resources, an inclusive digital strategy should move beyond a single platform and include:
- Platform Diversity: Simultaneous posting to Facebook, Mastodon, Bluesky, and local community boards.
- SMS/Text-to-911: Ensuring that the primary emergency contact method is accessible to non-verbal and Deaf users.
- Cross-Device Compatibility: Ensuring alerts function across mobile, desktop, and wearable tech (haptics).
- Translation & Plain Language: Real-time translation capabilities and Grade 6 reading level for all public-facing alerts.
The Bottom Line
These resources are not optional reading.
They are the foundation.
Use them to build emergency systems that work when everything else fails.
Standards save lives.
Related Framework Resources
- Framework Matrix: WCAG, WSG & Plain Language - See how these standards work together
- CAN-ASC-6.4 Case Study - How this repository supports Emergency Measures standards
- Fork Guide for Municipalities - Adapt this project for your area
- Understanding Workflows - Guide to automated checks
- Plain Language Toolkit - Step-by-step guide
- Cognitive Disabilities in Emergencies - Understand the impact
“The most accessible information is the information that actually reaches the user when everything else fails.”