Executive Brief

Safety Made Strong.

Accessibility Made Standard.

Unify Operations with Accessible Text Messaging

“Rule of the Day SMS“

Purpose

The Rule of the Day SMS is a new initiative designed to enhance safety communication and accessibility for MTA NYCT workers by delivering the daily rule directly to opt-in employees’ mobile devices via accessible text messaging.

This ensures equitable access to critical safety information across the workforce while providing an auxiliary channel to supplement existing in-person practices.  

Present Challenge

Existing distribution of the Rule of the Day depends on a single communication channel without backup methods, resulting in inconsistency and inequity:

• Supervisors receive the Rule of the Day as a PDF printout which greatly limits or prevents the use of accessibility tools such as large text settings or translation features. Limited English proficiency among Supervisors further contributes to incoherent delivery, resulting in omissions and elevated compliance risk when the rule is verbally conveyed to their crews. 
• Workers receive the Rule of the Day exclusively as a verbal directive delivered in noisy, high‑traffic environments (locker rooms, station platforms, yards, etc.) where intelligibility is already diminished. Crew members with low hearing, or limited English proficiency face additional barriers to understanding, increasing the likelihood of missed or misunderstood safety information.

Proposed Solution

Rule of the Day SMS

Implement a low-infrastructure, ADA-aligned SMS system that delivers the Rule of the Day as a text message directly to each opt-in employee’s mobile device, and MTA issued devices.

This delivery mechanism would be supplemental to the in-person safety briefing, not a replacement for existing programs or procedures.

Key attributes:

• Clear legibility — provides easy‑to‑read text, optimized for maximum clarity. 
• Assistive technologies — seamlessly integrates with native mobile accessibility features (including text magnification, screen readers) to ensure equitable access for employees with low vision or hearing. 
• Language inclusivity — supports translation tools, making standardized rules usable for employees with limited English proficiency. 
• Works on any phone, any carrier — no apps, logins, or smartphones required.
• Deployable on MTA issued devices — SMS or push-notification.
• Operational reliability — eliminates message drift and confusion.
• Compliance record — audit-friendly, timestamped distribution. 
• Pilot ready — low‑cost, low‑infrastructure. 

Opt-In Rationale

• Policy Alignment: In keeping with MTA’s approach to safety communication, new channels are designed to supplement existing practices. SMS delivery of the Rule of the Day is offered as an additional tool to reinforce in-person briefings, not replace them. 
• ADA Compliance: Accessibility standards emphasize choice and equity. By making SMS opt-in, employees decide whether this format best supports their needs (vision, hearing, or language translation). This respects individuals’ preferences while ensuring equitable access.
• Privacy & Consent: Opt-in enrollment ensures employees give explicit consent to receive messages on personal devices protecting privacy and aligning with governance standards. 
• Audit Readiness: Every opt-in message is logged, creating a documented record of ADA-compliant communication without imposing requirements on employees who prefer traditional briefings. 

Strategic Benefits 

For the Chief Accessibility Officer:

• Champions equitable access for employees with disabilities, language barriers, and limited digital connectivity, promoting workforce cohesion. 
• Leads the advancement of universal design and ADA compliance, fostering an inclusive communication system that supports all employees. 
• Provides visionary leadership by integrating accessibility into internal communications, extending beyond passenger-facing initiatives. 

For the Acting Chief Safety Officer:

• Strengthens safety and consistency through a redundant, cross‑department communication channel.
• Boosts rule retention and compliance through a dependable, uniform message delivery.  
• Promotes a stronger safety culture by aligning all personnel at the beginning of their tour with clear, accessible messaging. 

For the President, MTA NYCT:

• Develops a scalable, agency-wide model for accessible workforce communication that drives operational excellence. 
• Advances system safety, reliability, and workforce dignity through inclusive communication practices. 
• Implements a low-risk, measurable pilot program for evaluation and potential expansion. 

Pilot Recommendation

A 30‑day pilot with a representative operational unit is proposed to assess delivery reliability, comprehension, accessibility impact, and safety outcomes. The findings would equip NYCT with the data needed to validate the model and inform a potential system‑wide rollout.

Engagement Invitation 

You are invited to visit  theruleoftheday.com to explore the system’s features and review detailed user personas. The FAQs page provides comprehensive answers to frequently asked questions.

Connection

Your consideration of this initiative is sincerely appreciated and reflects MTA NYCT’s ongoing commitment to safety, reliability, and accessibility. Thank you for your time, insight, and continued leadership.

For any inquiries or feedback, I respectfully welcome you to contact Nicole Weedon, SMG, Facilities at nicole.weedon@nyct.com.