Executive Summary
emergency communication systems such as phones, radios, alarms, and public address
announcements were not designed for a campus where many students cannot rely on sight or
sound. Staff supporting blind, visually impaired, and deafblind students often work hands‑on,
making it difficult to step away, locate a device, and verbally report an incident with accurate
location details. These situations created operational risk, delayed response, and forced staff to
choose between staying with a student or leaving to request help.
To address this risk, the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) partnered with ISVI
to modernize emergency communications and remove multi‑step reporting during critical
incidents. The Centegix CrisisAlert system was selected to provide immediate, wearable,
one‑touch alerting with precise real-time location data. Responders now receive actionable
information instantly, without relying on visual or verbal communication under stress.
Implementation required a customized approach tailored specifically to ISVI’s unique accessibility
environment. DoIT, ISVI, Centegix, and integration partners conducted detailed site assessments,
mapped high‑risk and difficult-to-navigate areas, and aligned the system with existing
infrastructure and assistive technologies. Coordination with local emergency medical services and
law enforcement ensured the system fit into established response protocols. Staff adoption was
strengthened through scenario‑based training on campus.
The system is now fully operational and integrated into daily safety practices. In its first
year, it supported seventeen documented emergency incidents involving medical and
behavioral situations. ISVI staff were able to remain with students while responders were
directed immediately to the correct location.
Average law enforcement response time decreased from 6-7 minutes to 3-4 minutes, and
initial communication delays were reduced to seconds. Staff report a greater sense of safety
in responding to incidents, particularly in situations involving students who are deaf or deafblind.
This project reduces operational risk and improves emergency response by enabling immediate
alerts and accurate location sharing across a campus where accessibility needs shape how the
environment operates.
