Emergency Preparedness Online,
Fifth Edition

A resource directory for emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and accessible communications

Bridge Multimedia

A. General Information

Founded in 2002, Bridge Multimedia Corporation is a New York City-based media company dedicated to supporting all facets of universally accessible media, including accessible emergency alert systems and communication. Since its establishment, Bridge has been awarded both a NIDRR and an OSEP grant by the United States Department of Education, for the purpose of researching and developing educational technologies which are universally accessible. In 2005, working under the auspices of the American Foundation for the Blind, Bridge Multimedia undertook a research project to assemble information regarding accessibility and emergency communications. The result of our collaboration was this Emergency Preparedness Online website, posted to provide information and resource lists pertaining to Emergency Preparedness, Communication and the Emergency Alert System.

B. Emergency Communications Related Activities in Progress:

1. EmergencyPrepOnline.org Website Expansion

   Bridge plans to continue expanding upon Emergency Preparedness Online with the goal of creating an active, evolving site to be utilized by the emergency preparedness community or anyone seeking the most recent updates on accessibility and emergency warnings.

2. Dissemination and Network Building

   In 2006 Bridge Multimedia will launch an outreach program geared towards relevant associations and organizations, both local and national, that might interested in linking to our website with the aim of establishing a vital network where news and ideas regarding emergency notification can be freely exchanged.

3. Accessible Recovery Notification

   Bridge's technical division is in the process of developing a prototype designed to convey accessible post-emergency recovery information. Bridge is currently exploring grant and partnership opportunities to assist in bringing this important project to fruition.

C. Other Online Resource Directory MicroSites Published by Bridge Multimedia:

1. Ed-Tech Online

   EdTechOnline.org, the only comprehensive online resource directory listing all federal grants to K-12 schools for educational technology, posts information regarding funding for accessible technology and media materials for students with disabilities. The directory, developed in association with the American Institutes for Research and the American Foundation for the Blind, launched in May 2005 as a micro-site within Bridge Multimedia's website.

2. Online Transition Planning Directory - coming soon!

   Bridge Multimedia is in the process of creating www.bridgetransisions.com, a MicroSite to provide comprehensive information about post-secondary programs geared towards students with special needs. These listings will include 2-year academic programs, 4-year academic programs, vocational programs, and 'assisted independent living' programs. This Online Transition Planning Directory, titled Bridge Transitions, is slated to launch in the Winter of 2007.

D. Bridge Multimedia's media production services:

1. Audio Description in all media formats, including broadcast & cable TV, video, streaming media, Internet, CD-ROM and DVD.
2. Captioning in all media formats; closed and open caption configurations. We are fully equipped for captioning production in both linear and non-linear formats. We can archive all captioned data as AVID media assets for a program or series.
3. Bilingual Accessibility: Bridge offers bilingual description and captioning, as well as translation and dubbing of any media content. Bilingual and Spanish adaptations of EXTRA info(TM) are available.
4. Accessible Website Development both for new sites and assessing and configuring existing video and Internet content to add universal W3C- and 508-compliant accessibility in HTML, XML, SMIL, Flash MX, Windows Media and other downloadable formats. Working with AFB's respected team led by one of Section 508's authors, Bridge works with clients to create engaging web content that is accessible to the widest possible audience.
5. Cross-Disability Product Design: Our technology integrates the needs of the blind/low-vision, deaf/hard of hearing, print-disabled, learning-impaired, mobility-impaired, and low-literacy populations.
6. English As A Second Language: Bridge develops scripts and carefully edits supplementary content to ensure that key concepts are presented without difficult linguistic constructions, in a context that enhances understanding by those who are in the process of acquiring English language skills. Bilingual and Spanish adaptations of program content and EXTRA Info(TM) are available.
7. Comprehensive Media Production: Bridge has extensive technical resources. From concept to post-production, Bridge is the single source for the delivery of digital media for television, video, audio, DVD, CD and the web.