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Collaboration Among Central Tennessee PBS, PMVG, and Vendors for Sign-Language Alerts Using ATSC 3.0 Technology

Public entities' broadcast systems are collaborating with DigiCAP and EQ4ALL on a shared endeavor.

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3 min read
Vendors, together with PMVG and Central Tenn. PBS, join forces in the development of sign-language...
Vendors, together with PMVG and Central Tenn. PBS, join forces in the development of sign-language alerts through ATSC 3.0 technology.

Collaboration Among Central Tennessee PBS, PMVG, and Vendors for Sign-Language Alerts Using ATSC 3.0 Technology

Improving Emergency Communication for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Communities

In a significant move towards enhancing emergency communication, a collaboration was formed in Cookeville, Tennessee, bringing together various stakeholders. The meeting, hosted by WCTE president and CEO Avery Hutchins and Putnam County EMA Director Brandon Smith, aimed to test and implement a new initiative using ATSC 3.0 technology.

Attendees included project leaders, station engineers, emergency management experts, specialists in accessibility solutions, local government officials, Putnam County Mayor, Cookeville Mayor, and representatives from EQ4ALL, DigiCAP, and Public Media Venture Group (PMVG).

The initiative's primary focus is to bring American Sign Language (ASL) services to emergency alert systems. This is a crucial step towards ensuring critical information reaches deaf and hearing-impaired community members who may not be able to rely on text-based alerts or audio messages.

Kevin Lee, co-CEO of EQ4ALL, demonstrated human avatar technology that delivers emergency alerts in ASL over various platforms. The technology leverages ATSC 3.0's enhanced multimedia and datacasting capabilities to embed rich media such as video streams of ASL interpreters directly within emergency alerts.

Joonyoung Park, senior VP of DigiCAP, emphasized the suitability of television for emergency alerts, citing its large coverage area and the hardening and backup power of broadcast sites. He also highlighted the enhancement of this capability through ATSC 3.0 technology, which adds intelligence and accessibility features to emergency alerts.

The ATSC 3.0 standard allows for the addition of sign language capabilities, making alerts more accessible and impactful. Key enabling features of ATSC 3.0 include datacasting and digital network interoperability, finer geotargeting, and the ability to carry multimedia emergency information that can include sign language video overlays on the screen alongside audio alerts.

While the FCC is undertaking a comprehensive review and modernization of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) focused on improving accessibility and multimedia capabilities, including language and sign language support, explicit details about implementing ASL specifically via ATSC 3.0 were highlighted as potential improvements, though not fully integrated in current regulatory actions.

Advocates including coalitions like AWARN have promoted ATSC 3.0 for its advanced features to make emergency alerts more accessible for diverse audiences, including deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. These ASL avatars not only sign critical messages but also guide viewers to trusted local resources for additional information.

The collaboration is supported by a memorandum of understanding between PMVG and EQ4ALL. More information about WCTE, DigiCAP, EQ4ALL, and PMVG can be found on their respective websites. The project is powered by PMVG's NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) station in Cookeville. DigiCAP senior VP Joonyoung Park introduced the company's cloud-based, NextGen TV "broadcast app" technology at the meeting.

This collaboration marks a significant step forward in ensuring that emergency alerts are accessible to all, regardless of hearing ability. It underscores the potential of technology to bridge communication gaps and foster a more inclusive society.

  1. The collaboration in Cookeville, Tennessee, involving WCTE, EMA Director Brandon Smith, and various stakeholders, aims to implement an initiative using ATSC 3.0 technology to bring American Sign Language (ASL) services to emergency alert systems.
  2. Kevin Lee, co-CEO of EQ4ALL, demonstrated human avatar technology that delivers emergency alerts in ASL over various platforms, leveraging ATSC 3.0's enhanced multimedia and datacasting capabilities.
  3. Joonyoung Park, senior VP of DigiCAP, emphasized the suitability of television, enhanced through ATSC 3.0 technology, for emergency alerts, citing its large coverage area and hardening and backup power of broadcast sites.
  4. The FCC is undertaking a review and modernization of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) focusing on improving accessibility and multimedia capabilities, including language and sign language support.
  5. Advocates, including AWARN, have promoted ATSC 3.0 for its advanced features, making emergency alerts more accessible for diverse audiences, such as deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
  6. The project is powered by PMVG's NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) station in Cookeville, and DigiCAP senior VP Joonyoung Park introduced the company's cloud-based, NextGen TV "broadcast app" technology at the meeting.
  7. The collaboration between PMVG and EQ4ALL is supported by a memorandum of understanding, and more information about the involved parties can be found on their respective websites.
  8. This initiative represents a significant step forward in ensuring that emergency alerts are accessible to all, regardless of hearing ability, highlighting the potential of technology to bridge communication gaps and foster a more inclusive society.

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