Collaborative Effort between Central Tenn. PBS, PMVG, and Vendors for Sign-Language Warnings Utilizing ATSC 3.0 Technology
Collaboration Enhances Emergency Alert Systems for Deaf Community
In a groundbreaking initiative, the PBS station WCTE and the Public Media Venture Group (PMVG) in Cookeville, Tennessee, are testing a new approach to emergency alert systems. This collaboration, supported by ATSC 3.0 technology, aims to bring American Sign Language (ASL) services to deaf and hearing-impaired community members.
During a recent meeting, attendees expressed strong support for the initiative and agreed to work together to complete further testing and deployment. At the meeting, hosted by WCTE president and CEO Avery Hutchins and Putnam County EMA Director Brandon Smith, project leaders, station engineers, emergency management experts, specialists in accessibility solutions, local government officials, the Putnam County Mayor, and the Cookeville Mayor were in attendance.
The collaboration leverages ATSC 3.0 technology to provide ASL-interpreted emergency alerts in a more accessible and effective manner.
ATSC 3.0: The Next-Generation Broadcast Standard
ATSC 3.0 is the next-generation broadcast standard, offering improved data transmission, higher-quality video, and interactive features compared to traditional TV signals. It supports IP-based delivery, multiple video streams, and personalized content.
Multiple Video Streams
Using ATSC 3.0, broadcasters can transmit multiple synchronized video streams alongside the main programming. This capability enables the insertion of an ASL interpreter video stream during emergency alerts without interrupting the primary content.
Interactive and Targeted Alerts
The technology allows delivering emergency alerts that can trigger a dedicated ASL service overlay or channel. Viewers who need ASL interpretation can access these streams automatically or by selecting them on their receiver, thus ensuring timely and clear communication during emergencies.
Collaboration Workflow
- WCTE and PMVG: These organizations contribute the broadcast infrastructure and content delivery expertise.
- DigiCAP: Provides the encoding and streaming technology needed to package and deliver multiple video streams, including ASL interpreter feeds, over ATSC 3.0.
- EQ4ALL: Specializes in accessibility, ensuring the ASL content is accurately integrated and synchronized with emergency alerts for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Enhanced Accessibility During Emergencies
The integration ensures that people requiring ASL interpretation receive real-time, clear, and visually accessible emergency notifications, which is critical for safety and compliance with accessibility standards.
DigiCAP senior VP Joonyoung Park introduced the company's cloud-based, NextGen TV "broadcast app" technology that integrates seamlessly with existing emergency alert infrastructure. The initiative aims to ensure critical information reaches deaf and hearing-impaired community members.
The collaboration is supported by a memorandum of understanding between PMVG and EQ4ALL to advance accessibility and emergency alert technology. More information is available on the WCTE, DigiCAP, EQ4ALL, and PMVG websites.
- WCTE and PMVG are collaborating to test a new emergency alert system for the deaf and hearing-impaired community, utilizing ATSC 3.0 technology to provide American Sign Language (ASL) services.
- ATSC 3.0 is the next-generation broadcast standard, offering enhanced data transmission, higher-quality video, and interactive features compared to traditional TV signals.
- During emergencies, ATSC 3.0 allows the transmission of multiple synchronized video streams alongside the main programming, including an ASL interpreter video stream.
- The technology enables delivering dedicated ASL services overlay or channels, accessible to viewers who need ASL interpretation by selecting them on their receiver.
- DigiCAP is providing the encoding and streaming technology needed for the collaboration, while EQ4ALL specializes in integrating and synchronizing ASL content with emergency alerts.
- DigiCAP's cloud-based, NextGen TV technology is being integrated with the emergency alert infrastructure to ensure critical information reaches deaf and hearing-impaired community members.
- The collaboration is part of a memorandum of understanding between PMVG and EQ4ALL to advance accessibility and emergency alert technology.
- For more information, visit the WCTE, DigiCAP, EQ4ALL, and PMVG websites.
