Helena Mitchell

Regents Researcher Emeritus, Center for Advanced Communications Policy

Member Of:
  • Center for Advanced Communications Policy
  • School of Public Policy
Office Location: IPST Building
Related Links:
Email Address: helena@gatech.edu

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.

Areas of
Expertise:
  • Accessibility Of Wireless Technologies For People With Disabilities
  • Advanced Communications Technologies
  • Emergency Communications
  • Regulatory And Legislative Policy
  • Vulnerable Populations

Interests

Research Fields:
  • Information and Communications Technology Policy
Geographic
Focuses:
  • Europe - United Kingdom
  • United States
Issues:
  • 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

Presentations

Reports

  • Wireless RERC 202one State of Technology Forum Proceedings
    Date: 2021

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  • 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

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All Publications

Journal Articles

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.

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Presentations

Reports

  • Wireless RERC 202one State of Technology Forum Proceedings
    Date: 2021

    View All Details

  • 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

    View All Details

  • 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.

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  • 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.

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