The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comments on emergency message templates for multilingual Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), which the FCC proposes to provide in English, the 13 most commonly spoken languages in the United States, and American Sign Language (ASL).

In October, the FCC adopted rules to require participating wireless providers to make certain WEA available in these languages and to allow consumers to opt-in to receive them in ASL. Currently, WEAs are only available in English and Spanish. Providing WEAs in additional languages will help ensure these messages are accessible to as many people as possible.

For the video messages signed in ASL, the FCC seeks comment on the effectiveness of the ASL videos, as well as the format and production of the ASL videos. The proposed templates for ASL are not final and are presented solely for the purpose of seeking comment on what the final templates should be.

Comments on the 18 proposed WEA emergency message templates can be submitted online or by mail until June 12, and the public may respond to submitted comments until July 12. All filings must reference PS Docket Nos. 15-91 and 15-94. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email.