Requires that the state system for warning populations who are or may be endangered includes audible alerts for all announcements to ensure that information is accessible to visually impaired individuals.
Summary
This bill amends the Executive Law to require that New York’s system for warning populations who are or may be endangered include audible alerts for all announcements. The stated purpose is to ensure that emergency and public safety information is accessible to visually impaired individuals. In practical terms, it would add an accessibility requirement to the state’s public warning system so that alerts are not limited to visual formats.
The bill applies to the state’s emergency notification and public safety announcement framework, expanding the obligations of the warning system to include audio-based communication. It does not create a new program or funding stream, but it would require the state to ensure that all announcements issued through the warning system are audible. The bill would take effect 90 days after becoming law.
Impact
The bill would amend section 22 of the Executive Law, specifically the provision governing systems for warning endangered populations, by adding a requirement for audible alerts. This would affect how state public safety announcements are designed and delivered, and would likely require agencies responsible for emergency communications to review and potentially modify alerting procedures, technology, and accessibility practices to ensure compliance for visually impaired residents.
Sentiment
The available materials suggest generally positive, noncontroversial support for the bill’s accessibility goal. There is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided context, but the caption and text frame the measure as a public safety and disability-accessibility improvement. The bill appears to be presented as a straightforward enhancement to emergency communications rather than a politically divisive proposal.
Contention
No specific points of contention are reflected in the provided transcripts or vote history, as none are available. Potential areas of concern, if raised, would likely involve implementation details such as cost, technical feasibility, and whether existing emergency alert systems already provide sufficient audio access. The main policy issue is balancing accessibility requirements with administrative and operational burdens on the agencies that issue public warnings.
Same As
Requires that the state system for warning populations who are or may be endangered includes audible alerts for all announcements to ensure that information is accessible to visually impaired individuals.
Requires that the state system for warning populations who are or may be endangered includes audible alerts for all announcements to ensure that information is accessible to visually impaired individuals.
Provides that any system for warning populations who are or may be endangered and for rapid and effective communication for any New York emergency alert notification shall occur within thirty minutes, or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Establishing the blind information access act to require the state library to provide on-demand information access services to persons who are blind, visually impaired, deafblind or print disabled.
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A bill for an act relating to ensuring the provision of accessible prescription-related measures for persons who are blind, have a visual impairment, or otherwise have print disabilities.