Helena Mitchell
Regents Researcher Emeritus, Center for Advanced Communications Policy
- Center for Advanced Communications Policy
- School of Public Policy
Overview
Helena Mitchell holds an appointment as Regents’ Researcher. Mitchell is the first in the Ivan Allen College to be awarded this title. The Regents' Researcher title represents the highest academic status bestowed by the Board of Regents, which governs the University System of Georgia. It is in recognition of substantial, significant, and an ongoing record of scholarly achievement that has earned high national esteem over a sustained period. The title is awarded upon the unanimous recommendation of the president, the chief academic officer, the appropriate academic dean and three other faculty members named by the president, and upon the approval of the chancellor and the committee on academic affairs.
In tandem, Dr. Mitchell is the Principal Investigator for the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Inclusive Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC) funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Disabilities, Independent Living and Rehabiliation Research. Since 2001, the Wireless RERC works to promote a transformative future where people with disabilities achieve independence through access to a dynamic inclusive wirelss ecosystem. Helema has also been PI for several emergency communications projects funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).Her areas of specialty include broadband and wireless communications, educational technologies, regulatory and legislative policy, emergency/public safety communications, and universal service to vulnerable, rural and inner city populations. Dr. Mitchell has held positions in academia, business and government which contribute to her unique ability to see multiple perspectives and utilize her unique skill for navigating new waters.
Dr. Mitchell has held executive posts in Washington, DC with the Federal government. At the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), she served as the Associate Chief, Strategic Communications for the Office of Engineering and Technology to increase Commission dialog with advanced technology companies. Earlier as the Chief of the Emergency Broadcast System, her work resulted in major rulemakings that expanded EBS to include cable, satellite and advanced communications systems and the adoption of the Emergency Alert System. As a result, her team was selected as the FCC Organization of the Year. Helena previously headed the telecommunications development programs for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), of the U.S. Department of Commerce. There she spearheaded Executive Branch policy initiatives to increase educational, broadcast and non-broadcast telecommunications ownership opportunities; advance joint venture projects between the education and business sector; worked on international privatization activities; and was responsible for earmarking each year, more than $50 million dollars in domestic and international grants and loans. In recognition of the success of her policy initiatives in telecommunications, she received the prestigious U.S. Department of Commerce Silver Medal.
Helena Mitchell worked in broadcast management for more than a decade. She was Director of the Office of Television and Radio at Rutgers University serving as the administrator of its telecommunications and broadcast quality television and radio facilities. Through Federal grants she was able to create the Rutgers distance learning system and the Rutgers national satellite system which developed programming for university and corporate clientele. Helena was Executive-In-Charge of all public affairs and documentary programming produced for PBS. Under her guidance, Rutgers garnered industry recognition and programming awards. At WNET-TV in NYC she was Director of Community Services and executive producer of community and public affairs programming responsible for producing new pilots and educational/community programming for the tri-state area. In the private sector, she has also held other posts in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean and collaborated with entities in the United Kingdom. In Toronto, Canada she served as Vice President for Corporate Development for a firm specializing in international cross-border activities. There she built joint ventures and created projects between industry, government and educational institutions.
Dr. Mitchell has taught at the graduate level on a wide range of topics including domestic and international telecommunications, regulatory and legislative policy, and technical and advanced communications issues. She has also been the recipient of federal, state and private funding for decades. Helena has and continues to serve on a wide variety of community, industry and academic advisory councils and boards. At all academic institutions, Dr. Mitchell has been a faculty member and takes pride in mentoring students from high school through doctoral programs. Dr. Mitchell holds a Ph.D. from Syracuse University and was the first student to receive a combined doctoral degree from the Maxwell and Newhouse schools in telecommunications policy (technology utilization and telecom law); her M.S. is from the Newhouse School of Syracuse in television/radio; and her B.S. from S.U.N.Y. at Brockport in secondary education.
Interests
- Information and Communications Technology Policy
Focuses:
- Europe - United Kingdom
- United States
- Accessibility
- Communication
- Communication Policy
- Diffusion of Technology
- Emergency Communications
- Emerging Technologies - Innovation
- Perspectives on technology
- Regulation
- Science and Technology
- Technology
- Technology Management and Policy
Publications
Recent Publications
Journal Articles
- Stakeholder Outreach and Engagement Initiatives
In: Proceedings of the Wireless RERC 202one State of Technology Forum
Date: 2021
- Wireless RERC Retrospective: Policy Initiatives to Accelerate Development and Adoption of Accessible Wireless Technologies
In: Proceedings of the Wireless RERC 202one State of Technology Forum
Date: 2021
Presentations
- The Accessibility of Wireless Emergency Communications: Updates from the Wireless RERC
In: The 12th RESKO Technical Conference with Proceedings [Peer Reviewed]
Date: November 2018
Reports
- Wireless RERC 202one State of Technology Forum Proceedings
Date: 2021
- Analysis of Accessibility Features on Mobile Phones
Date: May 2018
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a statutory obligation to evaluate the impact of their regulations that implement the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA). Every two years the FCC submits a report to Congress on the state of industry compliance with the CVAA. In anticipation of the FCC's call for stakeholder input to inform their 2018 CVAA Biennial Report, the Wireless RERC conducted a 2017 Mobile Phone Accessibility Review (Accessibility Review/Review). Preliminary results of the review were submitted to the FCC[i] in response to the request for “input on the state of accessibility of “mobile” or wireless services, including basic phones and feature phones (collectively referred to herein as non-smartphones), as well as smartphones.”[ii] This report contains the full summary and comparative analyses.
[i] Mitchell, H., LaForce, S., Moon, N., Baker, P.M.A., Garcia, A., & Jacobs, B. (2018, May 3). Comments submitted in response to the Public Notice in the Matter of The Accessibility of Communications Technologies for the 2018 Biennial Report Required by the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act [CG Docket No. 10-213, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau]. Federal Communications Commission: Washington, D.C.
[ii] Federal Communications Commission. (2018). FCC Invites Public Comment in the Preparation of Biennial Report to Congress. Retrieved from https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-340A1.pdf
All Publications
Journal Articles
- Stakeholder Outreach and Engagement Initiatives
In: Proceedings of the Wireless RERC 202one State of Technology Forum
Date: 2021
- Wireless RERC Retrospective: Policy Initiatives to Accelerate Development and Adoption of Accessible Wireless Technologies
In: Proceedings of the Wireless RERC 202one State of Technology Forum
Date: 2021
- How a Diverse Research Ecosystem has Generated New Rehabilitation Technologies: Review of NIDILRR’s Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers
In: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2017
- Inclusive Connected Futures: Editorial introduction to special section on "Envisioning Inclusive Futures"
In: Futures [Peer Reviewed]
Date: December 2016
This special issue comprises papers and findings from the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC) State of Technology (SoT) Summit: Envisioning Inclusive Futures 2015. The purpose of the summit was to conceptualize the liberating value of wireless technologies in facilitating the ability of peopoe with disabilities to engage in life activities. The event utilized a “Futures Thinking” approach as a departure from the traditional assessment of the state of the science and associated presentation of findings common in the field. This “thinking” gravitated toward possible systems of accessibility, rather than on aspects of the individual user, the technology, the context, or a single design factor.
- Optimizing Accessibility of Wireless Emergency Alerts: 2015 Survey Findings
In: Journal on Technology and Persons with Disabilities [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2016
The Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system is a free, opt-out, national emergency alerting service that was deployed in 2012 as one component of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning Systems (IPAWS). Since 2012 over 10,000 WEA messages have been transmitted to mobile phones in the U.S. In 2015, a national online survey on WEAs (2015 WEA Survey) was conducted to understand the effectiveness of WEA messages for people with disabilities. The survey collected data on availability, awareness and accessibility of WEA messages, as well as actions taken by the recipient upon receipt. The survey also takes into consideration the type of mobile device used by the respondents. Project researchers hypothesized that greater awareness and exposure to WEA alerts would increase trust and appropriateness of individual responses to alerts. The analysis of the survey data supports the hypothesis. The 2015 WEA national online survey results provided policy and practice insights to improve the intended impact of WEA messages for people with disabilities.
- Futures of Disabilities: The Migration to a Digital World
In: Journal on Technology and Persons with Disabilities [Peer Reviewed]
Date: 2015
- Spectrum Trading for Efficient Spectrum Utilization
In: ICST Trans. Wireless Spectrum
Date: April 2014
- Mobile Emergency Alerting Made Accessible
In: International Journal of Emergency Management
Date: June 2010
It is critical that next-generation warning systems be developed such that persons with disabilities are given equal access to emergency alerts. This paper discusses research and development activities to provide next-generation, mobile emergency alerting systems to people with disabilities. A framework for prototyping mobile phone-based emergency alert systems and multiple systems built on this framework are presented. Results from field trials indicated support and the need for accessible emergency alert/notification features. The paper concludes that simple accommodations can be made to services and software on mobile devices that greatly increase the accessibility of mobile emergency alerts to persons with disabilities.
Chapters
- New Media and Accessible Emergency Communications: A United States-Based Meta Analysis"
In: Disability and Social Media: Global Perspectives
Date: 2016
During emergencies and natural disasters, a number of key population segments are disproportionately affected, which is an ongoing problem for planners, fi rst responders, as well as for caregivers of members of these groups. For example, in the United States there are approximately 56.7 million men, women, and children with disabilities that to some degree impact their everyday activities (Brault, 2012). If one expands this population to include children, elderly and aging, other minorities, and those for whom English is a second language, those with low literacy and/or low income are added to vulnerable populations, that number encompasses almost 50 per cent of the population (Kailes & Enders, 2007). This is particularly of concern as researchers have found that a number of critical components (communications, sheltering, evacuations, and planning) do not specifi cally take into account the needs of people with disabilities (Kailes & Enders, 2007; Mitchell et al., 2011; NCD, 2014). Emergency communications researchers have begun to examine the accessibility and effectiveness of information provided to people with disabilities. A contributing factor is their inability to receive emergency alerts or communications, which would allow them to take protective action. This ranges from more adaptable messages to the use of online and social media platforms. In this context, we use the word ‘adaptable’ to refer to wearable technologies that may be adapted or personalized for the individual user. This chapter addresses specifi cally how the role of new media can be incorporated into ensuring that messages are accessible with regards to sociological issues and helpful to people with sensory disabilities.
Presentations
- The Accessibility of Wireless Emergency Communications: Updates from the Wireless RERC
In: The 12th RESKO Technical Conference with Proceedings [Peer Reviewed]
Date: November 2018
- Getting on the Record with the FCC: Public Input Process How To's
In: California State University Northridge (CSUN) Conference
Date: March 2018
- Futures of Disabilities: The Migration to a Digital World
In: 2016 California State University Northridge (CSUN) Conference
Date: 2016
- FutureS of Disabilities
In: AT&T Advisory Panel on Access and Aging
Date: October 2015
- Public Response to Alerts and Warnings: Optimizing Ability of Message Receipt by People with Disabilities
In: Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate Webinar
Date: October 2015
- Accessible Wireless Emergency Communications Forum
In: FCC Accessibility Day
Date: November 2014
- Emergency Planning and Response for the Whole Community: Information, Resources and Tools
In: 36th Annual Information & Referral Systems Training and Education Conference
Date: June 2014
- Wireless Emergency Alerts - The Edge of the Wave: Current Research and Pathways Forward
In: 39th Annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop
Date: June 2014
- Are We Neglecting the 20%? Accessibility of Emergency Management Websites
In: 29th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference
Date: 2014
- Great Expectations: Keeping People with Disabilities Connected in a Wireless Future
In: The End of the Phone System Workshop with Proceedings [Peer Reviewed]
Date: May 2012
- Planning for Accessible Emergency Communications: Mobile Technology and Social Media
In: 2nd International Conference, Accessibility Reaching Everywhere (AEGIS) with Proceedings [Peer Reviewed]
Date: November 2011
- The Human Side of Regulation: Emergency Alerts
In: 8th @ WAS International Conference on Mobile Computing and Multimedia (MoMM2010)
Date: November 2010
- Assessing Accessible Alerting: A Case Study
In: 6th International Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing Conference with Proceedings [Peer Reviewed]
Date: June 2010
- Wireless Emergency Alerts: An Accessibility Study
In: 7th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management with Proceedings [Peer Reviewed]
Date: May 2010
- Emergency Alerting Made Accessible
In: Wireless Emergency Communications State of Technology Conference
Date: September 2009
- US Accessible Wireless Emergency Alerts for People with Disabilities: Realizing New Ideas
In: Include 2009: 5th International Conference on Inclusive Design with Proceedings [Peer Reviewed]
Date: April 2009
- US Regulation of the Emergency Alert System: the Accessibility Aspect
In: Include 2009: 5th International Conference on Inclusive Design with Proceedings [Peer Reviewed]
Date: April 2009
Reports
- Wireless RERC 202one State of Technology Forum Proceedings
Date: 2021
- Analysis of Accessibility Features on Mobile Phones
Date: May 2018
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a statutory obligation to evaluate the impact of their regulations that implement the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA). Every two years the FCC submits a report to Congress on the state of industry compliance with the CVAA. In anticipation of the FCC's call for stakeholder input to inform their 2018 CVAA Biennial Report, the Wireless RERC conducted a 2017 Mobile Phone Accessibility Review (Accessibility Review/Review). Preliminary results of the review were submitted to the FCC[i] in response to the request for “input on the state of accessibility of “mobile” or wireless services, including basic phones and feature phones (collectively referred to herein as non-smartphones), as well as smartphones.”[ii] This report contains the full summary and comparative analyses.
[i] Mitchell, H., LaForce, S., Moon, N., Baker, P.M.A., Garcia, A., & Jacobs, B. (2018, May 3). Comments submitted in response to the Public Notice in the Matter of The Accessibility of Communications Technologies for the 2018 Biennial Report Required by the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act [CG Docket No. 10-213, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau]. Federal Communications Commission: Washington, D.C.
[ii] Federal Communications Commission. (2018). FCC Invites Public Comment in the Preparation of Biennial Report to Congress. Retrieved from https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-340A1.pdf
- Review of Industry Initiatives on Mobile Device Accessibility
Date: March 2014
The review identifies, describes, and assesses industry initiatives in mobile device accessibility, focusing on existing hardware and highlighting available software APIs. The majority of this review was referenced from industrial, governmental, organizational, and end user compliance documents and similar materials. Links to relevant and suggested references are provided.
- Final Report: City of Atlanta Telecommunications Policy Advisory Committee, Subcommittee on New Technologies
Date: June 2005
The focus of this report is on potential investments in new telecommunications technologies by the City of Atlanta, Georgia. In March 2004, the Atlanta City Council passed a resolution creating a Telecommunications Policy Advisory Committee (TelePAC) with the purpose of “reviewing City policy so as to advise the Mayor and City Council on maximizing the use of telecommunication technology and programs so as to benefit the public’s health, safety, and welfare.” Part of TelePAC’s mission is to advise City policy “regarding the deployment of new technologies within the city that would maximize the availability of telecommunications services.” This report broadly examines potential investments in new technologies that the City of Atlanta could make, compares alternative policy options, and makes recommendations for changes in the City’s telecommunications policies.