Enhancing Accessibility of Emergency Alerts Within Educational Institutions
In Saline Area Schools, a forward-thinking approach to safety has been implemented, ensuring that every student, regardless of their auditory or visual needs, can be effectively alerted during emergencies.
Jay Grossman, the district's Director of Technology, spearheaded this initiative by implementing best practices for increasing safety accessibility. InformaCast was used to create an accessible alert system, which has been a game-changer for the district.
The new system takes into account unique situations, such as loud spaces like welding rooms and music rooms, to ensure alerts can be heard clearly. In these areas, strobe lights have been strategically placed, including above welding stations in welding rooms, to ensure students can see alerts while working.
For students who are visually impaired, auditory signs provide verbal cues during emergencies. Additionally, a color-coded emergency strobe light system was developed. Blue indicates all clear, while red signifies a lockdown. For colorblind students, the left light indicating a lockdown and the right light indicating no lockdown was established.
To ensure the system is functioning optimally, speakers in the district have individual volume controls, allowing each area to have the appropriate volume. During the feedback portion of the implementation process, the team learned the proper alert volume for different spaces. If feedback suggests an alert wasn't heard due to a loud space or muffled sound, the volume can be adjusted accordingly.
District leaders understand the importance of obtaining feedback from the school community once new alert systems are implemented. Students need to learn that the left light indicates a lockdown and the right means all clear. Text messages are displayed on various screens to provide students with instructions during emergencies.
Saline Area Schools serves students with special needs, adult education, and life-skills programs. The district's commitment to accessibility is evident in their recent update to the safety alerts system, which aims to effectively communicate important announcements to all students.
Network Design speakers with a three-strobe light alert system were utilized in the district. This combination of visual and audible alarms has been strategically placed in classrooms, hallways, and common areas to ensure that students with hearing impairments can be alerted throughout the school complex.
The new system has been a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and accessibility of all students in Saline Area Schools. The district's dedication to creating an inclusive and safe learning environment is commendable and serves as an example for other schools to follow.
