Emergency Preparedness Online,
Fifth Edition

A resource directory for emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and accessible communications

Emergency Preparedness Glossary

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Administration for Children and Families – a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, ACF is responsible for federal programs that promote the economic and social wellbeing of families, children, individuals, and communities
(http://www.acf.hhs.gov/)

Administration on Aging (AoA) – Operating under the Department of Health and Human Services, the Administration on Aging provides home and community-based services to older persons through programs funded by the Older Americans Act.
(http://www.aoa.gov)

Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) – the Federal agency responsible for implementation and administration of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act) and the disability provisions of the Help America Vote Act. Organizationally, the Administration on Developmental Disabilities is located within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
(http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/add)

All Hazard Roundtable – roundtable discussion open to the public that explores how new and existing technologies can be used to provide more assurance that the warning of approaching storms or other catastrophes will be sent to those who need it most, through whatever means available.

American Academy of Pediatrics – an organization of 60,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
(http://www.aap.org)

American Association on Health and Disability – an organization whose main goals are to prevent additional health complications in people with disabilities, and to identify effective intervention strategies to reduce the incidence of secondary conditions and the health disparities between people with disabilities and the general population.
(http://www.aahd.us)

American Foundation for the Blind – a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB's priorities include broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources.
(http://www.afb.org)

American Red Cross – a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States, as part of the International Federation of the Red Cross.
(http://www.redcross.org)

Automated Program Controller (APC) – automatic dispatcher of emergency broadcasts; allows automated switching to emergency broadcasts, with a scalable response depending on emergency level, and without interrupting the normal data broadcast

BML – a server-side markup language designed for use in large websites in need of templates, like its most well-known example, LiveJournal. Because BML is a server-side language, it can generate dynamic (as opposed to static) web pages or content.

Blue292 – a leading provider of crisis information management software (CIMS), and environmental, health and safety (EHS) solutions
(http://www.blue292.com)

Briceño, Sálvano – Director of the Inter-Agency Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR). Sálvano Briceño was appointed the Director of the Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) in June 2001.
(http://www.unisdr.org/eng/media-room/mr-bio-eng.htm)

California Office of Emergency Services (OES) – this branch of the Governor’s office designated to prepare and response to disasters such as war-caused emergencies, natural disasters and civil disturbances
(http://www.oes.ca.gov)

Capital Wireless Integrated Network (CapWIN) – a partnership between the States of Maryland and Virginia, and the District of Columbia to develop an interoperable first responder data communication and information sharing
network (http://www.capwin.org)

Center for Development and Disability – the mission of the CDD is the full inclusion of people with disabilities and their families in their community by: engaging individuals in making life choices; partnering with communities to build resources; and improving systems of care
(http://cdd.unm.edu)

Center for Disability Issues in the Health Profession – established in 1998, CDIHP sponsors educational activities and curriculum development for health professionals serving people with disabilities. The Center also conducts applied research to develop continuing education programs for current health care providers. These activities are designed to improve patient care delivery through advocating basic changes in social and policy issues affecting the health of people with disabilities
(http://cdihp.org)

Comlabs, Inc. – a respected leader in the satellite warning and communications arena for the past 15 years
(http://www.comlabs.com)

Common Alerting Protocol – an open, non-proprietary standard data interchange format that can be used to collect all types of hazard warnings and reports locally, regionally and nationally, for input into a wide range of information-management and warning dissemination systems.

Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN) – in late 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. (TDI) nearly $1.5 million for a two-year project, called Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (or the CEPIN Project), which develops model community education programs for deaf and hard of hearing consumers. TDI coordinates efforts by specialists in four centers throughout America in promoting emergency preparedness.
(http://www.cepintdi.org)

Community Emergency Response Network (CERN) – a unique organization in Howard County, Maryland (just outside Washington, DC) that facilitates the development of a community-based disaster response plan for Howard County to ensure optimum preparedness in the advent of a terrorist attack on Washington. CERN supports the County government's disaster planning through the coordination of the emergency plans and resources
(http://www.cern.us)

Data Broadcast Interruption/Push technology – technology offering flexible switching and simultaneous data broadcast by Automated Program Controller at broadcast stations

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – a Cabinet department of the federal government of the United States that is concerned with protecting America's people from harm and its property from damage. This department was created primarily from a conglomeration of existing federal agencies in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
(http://www.dhs.gov)

Digital Emergency Alert System – A new Emergency Alert System being developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS).  It will allow emergency alerts to be instantaneously sent to users of computers, mobile phones, pagers and other devices, without the need for a special receiver.

Digital Terrestrial Network – a network on which Emergency Warning Signals are sent to portable devices such as cell phones and portable TVs

Disability Funders Network – network of members whose mission is to increase the extent and effectiveness of grantmaking that benefits people with disabilities, and to promote inclusion of people with disabilities in effective philanthropy
(http://www.disabilityfunders.org)

Disability Preparedness Center – focused on helping ensure that all individuals are included in the development of and inclusion in plans for protection from both natural and man-made emergencies
(http://www.disabilitypreparedness.org)

Disability Resources – a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established to promote and improve awareness, availability and accessibility of information that can help people with disabilities live, learn, love, work and play independently. DR disseminates information about books, pamphlets, magazines, newsletters, videos, databases, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, telephone hotlines and on-line services that provide free, inexpensive or hard-to-find information to help people with disabilities live independently
(http://www.disabilityresources.org)

Disability Rights Office – a resource office of the FCC which strives to provide those with disabilities such as hearing, visual or speech with the same telecommunications opportunities as everyone else.
(http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/)

Disaster News Network – a news services that tells the story of disaster response and suggests appropriate ways the public can help survivors; it also facilitates information sharing among disaster responders
(http://www.disasternews.net)

Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Association (DERA) – founded in 1962 to assist communities with disaster preparedness, hazard mitigation, emergency response-recovery, and to serve as a worldwide professional association linking professionals, volunteers, and organizations active in all phases of emergency management.
(http://www.disasters.org)

Dynamic Broadcast Bandwidth Controller – maximizes emergency data broadcast depending on the content of current programming; makes it possible for automated switching to emergency broadcast as requested by local and other agencies, with scalable response on emergency level, and without interrupting the normal data broadcast

Easter Seals (Project Action) – Congress originally commissioned Easter Seals Project ACTION in 1988 as a research and demonstration project to improve access to public transportation for people with disabilities. With the passage of the ADA two years later, their goals expanded to help transportation operators implement the law's transportation provisions
(http://www.projectaction.easterseals.com)

EmergencyPrepOnline - An online resource directory, produced by Bridge Multimedia, which provides information regarding the Emergency Alert System and organizations involved in Emergency Preparedness, particularly as it relates to individuals with disabilities
(http://www.EmergencyPrepOnline.org)

Emergency Alert System (EAS) – was established by the FCC in November of 1994 with the approval of Part 11 EAS rules. The EAS replaced the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) as a tool the President and others may use to warn the public about emergency situations.
(http://www.fcc.gov/eb/bas)

Emergency Broadcast System – The EBS was designed to provide the president with a means to address the American people in the event of a national emergency. Through the EBS, the president had access to thousands of broadcast stations to send an emergency message to the public. In 1994, to overcome some of the limitations of the older EBS system, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) replaced the EBS with the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The major difference between EBS and EAS is the method used to alert broadcast stations about an incoming message.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) – responsible for providing prehospital care by paramedics, emergency medical technicians and medical first responders; EMS provides early treatment to those in need of urgent medical care, and rapid transportation to an emergency department.

Emergency Preparedness and Response for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2006 – A bill introduced in 2006 which calls for a Disability Coordinator within the Department of Homeland Security, to ensure the accessibility of information about evacuation and disaster relief.  It also requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a national study of emergency shelters to determine how many of them are considered accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Emergency Response and Crisis Management Technical Assistance Center (ERCM) – help school districts develop comprehensive plans for any emergency or crisis, including natural disasters, violent incidents, and terrorist acts.
(http://www.ercm.org)

Emergency Warning Signals (EWS) – signals sent via Digital Terrestrial Network, which are picked up by portable devices and decoded to create a real-time broadcast.

E Team – designed by Emergency Managers to provide the functionality needed to effectively manage every phase of a crisis. Proven time and again in real-life situations such as the California and Arizona wildfires, 2002 Winter Olympics, and New York City’s response to 9/11, E Team is available in Government and Corporate Editions
(http://www.eteam.com)

Federal Alliance for Safe Home (FLASH) – a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to promoting disaster safety and property loss mitigation. FLASH was founded in Florida in 1998 as the Florida Alliance for Safe Homes. Today it has grown into one of the most respected disaster preparedness organizations in the nation, with more than 75 partners from government, business, academia and not-for-profit organizations
(http://www.flash.org)

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – an independent United States government agency, directly responsible to Congress. The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC's jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.
(http://www.fcc.gov)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – a government agency in the United States which is organized under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate. The agency is charged with what it defines as four domains of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
(http://www.fema.gov)

Florida Disability Task Force – task force on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities; holds conferences on special needs shelters, health care perspectives and the impact of specific disasters on people with various types of disabilities

Fujitsu – a leading provider of customer-focused information technology and communications solutions for the global marketplace.
(http://www.fujitsu.com)

GeoDecisions, Inc. – an award-winning leader in the information technology industry that specializes in geospatial solutions.
(http://www.geodecisions.com)

Global Positioning System (GPS) – a satellite navigation system used for determining one's precise location and providing a highly accurate time reference almost anywhere on Earth or in Earth orbit.

Hormann America, Inc. – assists emergency response professionals with state-of-the-art alerting and notification systems/products and consulting and design services to ensure that the public in their jurisdiction are alerted to take shelter from the consequences of natural or man-made disasters.
(http://www.hormannamerica.com)

IEM, Inc. – one of the leading risk management companies in the US, providing services to private industry and government agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the US Department of Defense.
(http://www.ieminc.com)

Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) – a national center for information, training, research, and technical assistance in independent living. Its goal is to expand the body of knowledge in independent living and to improve utilization of results of research programs and demonstration projects in this field.
(http://www.ilru.org)

Infectious Diseases Information – represents physicians, scientists and other health care professionals who specialize in infectious diseases. IDSA’s purpose is to improve the health of individuals, communities, and society by promoting excellence in patient care, education, research, public health, and prevention relating to infectious diseases.
(http://www.idsociety.org)

Inter-Agency Task Force on Disaster Reduction (IATF/DR) – Serves as the main forum within the United Nations for continued and concerted emphasis on natural disaster reduction, in particular for defining strategies for international cooperation at all levels in this field, while ensuring that the actions between agencies are complementary.
(http://www.unisdr.org/eng/task%20force/tf-functions-responsibilities-eng.htm)

Interagency Coordinating Council – facilitates successful outcomes for young children with disabilities and young children at risk for developing disabilities and their families.
(http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0591.xml)

International Association of Emergency Managers – a non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting the goals of saving lives and protecting property during emergencies and disasters.
(http://www.iaem.com)

International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) – aims at building disaster-resilient communities by promoting increased awareness of the importance of disaster reduction as an integral component of sustainable development, with the goal of reducing human, social, economic and environmental losses due to natural hazards and related technological and environmental disasters.
(http://www.unisdr.org)

Katrina Disability Information – created by Susan Fitzmaurice, a lifelong disability advocate, this site is now a nationally recognized clearinghouse for information helping people with disabilities cope with the aftermath of hurricane Katrina; the site is dedicated to helping people with disabilities survive disasters.
(http://www.katrinadisability.info)

KDDI – KDDI Engineering and Consulting, Inc. (KEC) was established in 1974, with the aim of contributing to the advancement of telecommunications, and to social, economic and cultural development.
(http://www.kddi.com/english/)

Louisiana Disability Information Resource – Information for people with disabilities and their families who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina.
(http://www.katrina-la.net)

Media Security and Reliability Council (MSRC) – council whose mission is to prepare a comprehensive national strategy for securing and sustaining Broadcast and MVPD facilities throughout the United States during terrorist attacks, natural disasters and all other threats or attacks nationwide.
(http://www.mediasecurity.org)

MITRE Corporation – a not-for-profit organization chartered to work in the public interest. As a national resource, they apply their expertise in systems engineering, information technology, operational concepts, and enterprise modernization to address sponsors' critical needs.
(http://www.mitre.org)

Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) – a satellite system that uses portable terrestrial terminals. MSS terminals may be mounted on a ship, an airplane, or an automobile; MSS terminals may even be carried by individuals

mobileFoundations – a company that develops and deploys enterprise-wide mission-critical wireless solutions.
(http://www.mobilefoundations.com/)

Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools – a short and easy-to-take web-based course that focuses on multi-hazard emergency planning for schools.
(http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is362.asp)

MyStateUSA – a Community/County/State integration solution that networks the Community to the County to the Regions of a State as well as networking each State on a National basis.
(http://www.mystateusa.com)

National Preparedness Month (NPM) – September of each year was proclaimed to be National Preparedness Month by President George W. Bush in 2007, to encourage all American citizens to get involved in community and personal preparedness efforts. It is run by the Ready Campaign through the Department of Homeland Security as is a national public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. The goal of the campaign is to get the public involved and ultimately to increase the level of basic preparedness across the nation.
(http://www.ready.gov)

NDS Ltd. – the leading global supplier of open end-to-end digital pay TV solutions for the secure delivery of entertainment and information to television set-top boxes and IP devices.
(http://www.nds.com)

National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) – research and development facility that works to make media accessible to disabled persons, minority-language users, and people with low literacy skill.
(http://ncam.wgbh.org/)

National Center for Learning Disabilities – works to ensure that the nation's 15 million children, adolescents and adults with learning disabilities have every opportunity to succeed in school, work and life. NCLD provides essential information to parents, professionals and individuals with learning disabilities, promotes research and programs to foster effective learning and advocates for policies to protect and strengthen educational rights and opportunities.
(http://www.ncld.org)

National Council on Disabilities – an independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress to enhance the quality of life for all Americans with disabilities and their families. NCD is composed of 15 members appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. NCD's overall purpose is to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability; and to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.
(http://www.ncd.gov)

National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF) – a free public service that provides information on planning, designing, funding, building, improving, and maintaining schools.
(http://www.edfacilities.org)

National Disability Rights Network – nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities; collectively, the P&A/CAP network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States.
(http://www.napas.org)

National Fire Protection Association – international nonprofit whose mission is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. NFPA membership totals more than 79,000 individuals from around the world and more than 80 national trade and professional organizations.
(http://www.nfpa.org)

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) – provides leadership and support for a comprehensive program of research related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. All of our programmatic efforts are aimed at improving the lives of individuals with disabilities from birth through adulthood.
(http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/index.html)

National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) – In April 2004, the Communications Research Laboratory, an incorporated administrative agency, and the Telecommunications Advancement Organization of Japan, a chartered corporation, were merged and re-launched as the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), an incorporated administrative agency. NICT was established to carry out research and development in the field of information and communications technology, in an integrated manner from basic science to application, with the aim of supporting the approaching ubiquitous network society as well as to provide comprehensive assistance to public and private organizations working in this field.
(http://www.nict.go.jp/overview/)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – an agency of the US Department of Commerce; conducts environmental research.
(http://www.noaa.gov/)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio (NWR) – is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information direct from a nearby National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day.
(http://www.weather.gov.nwr/)

National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) – a Cabinet-level Council that is the principal means for the President to coordinate science, space, and technology to coordinate the diverse parts of the Federal research and development enterprise. The President chairs the NSTC. Membership consists of the Vice President, Assistant to the President for Science and technology, Cabinet Secretaries and Agency Heads with significant science and technology responsibilities, and other White House officials.
(http://www.ostp.gov/NSTC/html/NSTC_Home.html)

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) – a division of the Department of Commerce, NTIA is the President's principal adviser on telecommunications and information policy issues, and in this role frequently works with other Executive Branch agencies to develop and present the Administration's position on these issues.
(http://www.ntia.doc.gov)

National Weather Service – official US weather, marine, fire and aviation forecasts, warnings, meteorological products, climate forecasts and information about meteorology.
(http://www.nws.noaa.gov/)

Network Reliability and Interoperability Council (NRIC) – Provides disaster recovery and network reliability information, as well as guidelines for physical, network and cyber security best practices.
(http://www.nric.org/)

New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Association (NJEPA) – provides education and training by hosting an annual New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Conference for all persons and agencies involved in the emergency management field.
(http://www.njepa.org)

New Jersey Office of Emergency Management – established in 1980, the NJOEM coordinates and directs all emergency-related activities through the NJ State Police on behalf of the Governor.
(http://www.state.nj.us/njoem/)

Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK) – Japan Broadcasting Corp. - Japan's sole public broadcaster, introduced a radio service in 1925 and a television service in 1953. NHK has 54 stations across Japan and correspondents in 34 locations around the world.
(http://www.nhk.or.jp/english/)

Nobody Left Behind – their primary research mission is to identify emerging or Best Practices models for counties to assist in disaster plans and emergency responses to meet the needs of persons with mobility impairments in hopes of preventing injuries, saving lives, and assuring Nobody is Left Behind
(http://www.nobodyleftbehind2.org/)

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) – An announcement published in the Federal Register of proposed new regulations or modifications to existing regulations; the first stage in the process of creating or modifying regulations.

Office of Disability Employment Policy – provides national leadership by developing and influencing disability-related employment policy and practice affecting the employment of people with disabilities.
(http://www.dol.gov/odep/)

Office of Emergency Management – under the Environmental Protection Agency, the new OEM consolidates OSWER's emergency prevention, preparedness, and response duties by joining together the Oil Program Center, Emergency Response & Removal Center and the Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office. OEM’s mission is to ensure that this Nation is better prepared for environmental emergencies, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) works with other EPA partners, Federal agencies, state and local response agencies, and industry to prevent accidents as well as maintain superior response capabilities. OEM's overall mission is to provide national leadership to prevent, prepare for, and respond to health and environmental emergencies.
(http://www.epa.gov/swercepp/)

Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools (OSDFS) – The Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS) administers, coordinates, and recommends policy for improving quality and excellence of programs and activities that are designed to provide assistance for drug and violence prevention activities, provide national leadership on correctional education, and help to develop a national research agenda for drug and violence prevention.
(http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/index.html?src=oc)

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) – The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. In supporting President Bush's No Child Left Behind agenda and the New Freedom Initiative, OSERS provides a wide array of supports to parents and individuals, school districts and states in three main areas: special education, vocational rehabilitation and research.
(http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index/html)

Oregon RAINS – non-profit, private/public partnership formed to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative technology for homeland security.
(http://www.rainsnet.org)

Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) – a consortium that produces more Web services standards than any other organization along with standards for security, e-business, and standardization efforts in the public sector and for application-specific markets. Founded in 1993, OASIS has more than 5,000 participants representing over 600 organizations and individual members in 100 countries.
(http://www.oasis-open.org)

Panasonic – Panasonic, a leading manufacturer of electronics, has Usability Centers throughout the world, which research and develop technology for users with special needs. Having helped lead the way in the development of DVD, SD Memory Cards, DTV and other important technology, the R&D centers of the Panasonic Group of Companies are working to make emerging technologies accessible, and to develop new technologies that aim to further enable and encourage employment, independence, and enhanced entertainment experiences for people with disabilities.
(http://www.panasonic.com)

Partnership for Public Warning (PPW) – a non-profit, public-private partnership established in 2002 to save the lives and property of people at risk from natural disasters, accidents and terrorism by improving the nation’s alert and warning capabilities.
(http://www.partnershipforpublicwarning.org/ppw/)

Project Safe EV-AC: Evacuation and Accommodation of People with Disabilities – three year development project, will improve evacuation from buildings, vehicles, and other settings during emergencies by providing training materials on the EVacuation and ACcommodation of people with disabilities
(http://evac.icdi.wvu.edu)

Radio Band Data Services – EAS service that would provide text alerts to car radios that are equipped with a display.

Radio Frequency (RF) – any frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum associated with radio wave propagation. When an RF current is supplied to an antenna, an electromagnetic field is created that then is able to propagate through space. Many wireless technologies are based on RF field propagation.

READYAmerica – a common sense framework designed to launch a process of learning about citizen preparedness. One of the primary mandates of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is to educate the public, on a continuing basis, about how to be prepared in case of a national emergency - including a possible terrorist attack
(http://www.ready.gov/)

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) – Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) plan and conduct research leading to new scientific knowledge and new or improved methods, procedures and devices to benefit people with disabilities.
(http://www.ncddr.org/rpp/techaf/techdfdw/rerc/)

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Telecommunications Access (RERC-TA) – Plans and conducts research specific to telecommunications access for those with disabilities.

RE-SPEAK Captioning System – created by NHK to capture and create captions live by voice recognition. During live broadcasts, the captioning narrator rereads what is being spoken, and a computer then converts it to captioning data. This can help create error-free captions.

Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) – the national trade organization representing all segments of the satellite industry. It is committed to expanding the utilization of satellite technology for the broadcast delivery of video, audio, data, music, voice, interactive and broadband services. SBCA is composed of DBS, C-band, broadband, satellite radio, and other satellite service providers, content providers, equipment manufacturers, distributors, retailers, encryption vendors, and national and regional distribution companies that make up the satellite services industry.
(http://www.sbca.com/index.asp)

School’s Out – lets parents immediately know if there is an emergency at their children’s school. The School's Out system is tied directly to the school administration and is updated by their own authorized personnel; can send an average of over 1,000,000 email alerts per week. School’s Out serves over 150 school districts and private schools using our system with over 250,000 email subscribers.
(http://www.schoolsout.com)

Ship Analytics – a company providing emergency management and security solutions, simulation technology and maritime products to prevent and manage water disasters.
(http://www.shipanalytics.com)

Sirius Radio – satellite radio company offering over 120 channels of satellite radio: 65 devoted to commercial-free music, in almost every genre imaginable, plus over 55 channels of sports, news and talk.
(http://www.sirius.com)

Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME) codes – The Weather Radio "Specific Area Message Encoder" (WR-SAME), more currently called "SAME" is a digitally encoded signal transmitted by the local NOAA Weather Radio station's equipment. This digital code is transmitted just before and at the end of selected messages heard on the NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) station.

Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) – a highly competitive, merit-based grant program that brings the benefits of digital network technologies to communities throughout the United States. TOP awards matching grants to public and non-profit organizations to demonstrate practical applications of telecommunications and information technologies.
(http://www.ntia.doc.gov/top/)

Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. (TDI) – national organization engaging in telecommunications advocacy for deaf and hard of hearing people.
(http://www.tdi-online.org/)

Third International Conference on Early Warning (EWC III) – Hosted by Germany under the auspices of the United Nations, the Third International Conference on Early Warning against natural hazards will take place in Bonn from 27 to 29 March 2006. The Indian Ocean tsunami disaster in December 2004 and the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 demonstrated, once again, the pressing need for effective early warning against natural hazards of all kinds in all parts of the world.
(http://www.ewc3.org)

United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs – a high level position in the United Nations that heads the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The title Emergency Relief Coordinator was created by UN resolution on December 1991 to coordinate the efforts of the special representatives of the United Nations Secretary-General to complex, man-made emergencies and the tasks of the UN Disaster Relief Coordinator (UNDRO), who handles natural disasters. Shortly thereafter the Secretary-General gave the Emergency Relief Coordinator the status of Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Humanitarian Affairs and the corresponding administrative support.
(http://www.unisdr.org/eng/media-room/mr-bio-eng.htm)

United States Access Board – an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. Created in 1973 to ensure access to federally funded facilities, the Board is now a leading source of information on accessible design. The Board develops and maintains design criteria for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and for electronic and information technology. It also provides technical assistance and training on these requirements and on accessible design and continues to enforce accessibility standards that cover federally funded facilities.
(http://www.access-board.gov)

United States Department of Transportation – established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966, the Department’s first official day of operation was April 1, 1967. The mission of the Department is to serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.
(http://www.dot.gov/)

United States Fire Administration – an entity of the Department of Homeland Security, the mission of the USFA is to reduce life and economic losses due to fire and related emergencies, through leadership, advocacy, coordination, and support.
(http://www.usfa.fema.gov)

United States Geological Survey – an unbiased, multi-disciplinary science organization focused on biology, geography, geology, geospatial information, and water; and the timely, relevant, and impartial study of the landscape, natural resources, and the natural hazards.
(http://www.usgs.gov/)

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) – responsible for building, maintaining and operating the state's roads, bridges and tunnels; Virginia has the third-largest state-maintained highway system in the country (behind North Carolina and Texas).
(http://www.virginiadot.org)

WGBH Educational Foundation – Works to deliver accessible television to people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, or visually impaired so as not to exclude them from choosing to participate in its educational, cultural, and entertaining elements. WGBH invented TV captioning and video descriptions and continues in its efforts to bring media access to all of television, as well as to the Web, movie theaters, and more.
(http://www.wgbh.org/)

Warning Systems, Inc. – provides tone alert radio systems used for indoor emergency notification during natural and man-made disasters.
(http://www.warningsystems.com)

World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR) – a United Nations conference bringing together government officials, non-governmental experts and other specialists from around the world to discuss the growing trend of people affected by natural disasters.
(http://www.unisdr.org/wcdr/)

XM Radio – one of two FCC licensees to deliver satellite radio programming. XM delivers its coast-to-coast, digital-quality service with more than 150 channels of music, news, talk, radio, sports, comedy and children's programming.
(http://www.xmradio.com/)