August 4, 2026
Source: Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Comments due: August 31, 2026
Reply Comments due: September 29, 2026
On August 3, 2026, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing comment and reply comment due dates for proposed modernizations to the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts, which include proposals related to accessibility.
At its June 25, 2026, Open Meeting, the FCC adopted a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) regarding improvements to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The FNPRM seeks comment on, among other items, whether to include:
- Symbols in EAS and WEA messages to allow consumers to identify rapidly the type of emergency; and,
- Text-to-speech technology in EAS and WEA messages for earthquake and other alerts to hasten protective action by consumers.
With respect to text-to-speech, the FNPRM specifically asks: How should WEA text-to-speech interact with mobile devices connected to screen readers or other accessibility tools?
Link to Public Notice announcing comment dates:
fcc.gov/document/pshsb-announces-comment-dates-alerting-modernization-fnprm
Link to Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:
fcc.gov/document/fcc-takes-steps-modernize-nations-alerting-systems-0
More information about EAS is available at Emergency Alert System page and about WEA at Wireless Emergency Alerts page. For further information on this item, please contact George Donato, Associate Division Chief, Cybersecurity and Communications Reliability Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, (202) 418-0729, or by email to George.Donato@fcc.gov; or David Kirschner, Attorney-Advisor, Cybersecurity and Communications Reliability Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at (202) 418-0695, or by email David.Kirschner@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at 844-432-2275 (videophone).
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