Dallas briefs Commission on Accessible Hazard Alert System for deaf, blind and hard-of-hearing residents

City of Dallas staff and vendor partners briefed the Commission on Disabilities on the Dallas Accessible Hazard Alert System (AHAS), an opt-in emergency alert program that delivers accessible alerts to residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or deafblind.

Presenters said AHAS delivers alerts as sign-language video, text (English and Spanish) and voice and that the system can send content that interfaces with internet-connected refreshable braille devices. Cassandra Wallace and Kaye Chiodo of DefLink described how alerts will be produced and delivered; Wallace said, "These alerts will actually raise the dots on a deaf blind person's braille reader and give them access to the same information that their hearing components have access to." The brief demonstration included a short example severe-thunderstorm alert video and a sample message that registered users would receive with a link to the sign-language video and text.

Funding and registration: Deputy Director Travis Houston of Emergency Management and Crisis Response said the program "was funded out of the city's general fund" and included as an enhancement in the FY25-26 budget; staff added that targeted marketing and registration outreach will use Communications and Customer Experience resources and existing preparedness grant channels (Urban Area Security Initiative). Enrollment is opt-in; presenters gave the registration short-code and an online sign-up path. Presenters said the system initially has a small number of registrants and asked commissioners to help amplify outreach through community channels and events.

Scope and limitations: Staff said alerts issued through AHAS are focused on City of Dallas emergency events (City of Dallas coverage); the system is not currently location-based for users traveling outside Dallas. Presenters described planned accessibility features: sign-language video recorded by DefLink staff (with voiceover), on-screen text in English/Spanish, and compatibility with internet-connected braille readers. Presenters also described practical outreach tactics such as printed handouts with a clipped corner that highlights a QR code for easier scanning by blind users.

Next steps and implementation: Presenters asked commissioners to help promote registration via community events and partner networks. Staff said initial marketing will be coordinated with Communications and Customer Experience and that the program will be funded on an ongoing basis via city budget and preparedness grant resources.