Texas ranks #1 in disaster declarations. Between the years of 2006 – 2010, citizens of Texas with communication needs enjoyed full inclusion and access to emergency alerts for threats to life and property via the AHAS (Accessible Hazard Alert System) program.

The AHAS program provided accessible communications before and during an event that threatens the live or property of Texans. This program served people who face challenges in receiving critical alerting information in accessible formats such as American Sign Language, Braille, Braille-readers and could be delivered to any internet capable device.

It’s proven that clear and effective communication is a crucial component of emergency management in mitigating the impact of an event. Simply put, communication can save lives and help protect property. Alerting programs are at the core of this concept.

This program was abruptly and unilaterally cancelled in January 2011 by the State of Texas. Sixteen months later these citizens of our State remain without effective communication during events that may threaten their lives, going from total inclusion to total exclusion and putting citizens at needless risk.

=====
Gov. Rick Perry
http://governor.state.tx.us/contact/

Mailing Address
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428
=====
=====
State Rep. Jose Menendez  District 124
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/email/?district=124&session=82

Room EXT E1.420, Capitol Extension
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0634
(512) 463-7668 Fax

District Address:
7121 U.S. Hwy 90 West
Suite 240
San Antonio, TX 78227
(210) 673-3579
(210) 673-3816 Fax
=====
=====
US Rep. Henry Cuellar 28th dist.
http://cuellar.house.gov/Contact/SendMeAnEmail.htm

615 E. Houston Street, Suite 563
San Antonio, Texas 78205
phone: (210)271-2851
fax: (210) 277-6671
=====