TWU Brief

Safety Made Strong.

Accessibility Made Standard.

Empower Workers with Accessible Text Messaging

“Rule of the Day SMS”

Present Challenge

The current distribution of the Rule of the Day to TWU Local 100 members relies on verbal communication in noisy settings, and by Supervisors whose delivery may be difficult to understand. This creates barriers for workers with hearing impairments, limited English proficiency, or those using assistive technologies, resulting in inconsistent comprehension and elevated safety risks.

Proposed Solution

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.  

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 TWU Local 100 Members:

• Ensures all workers receive consistent, accessible safety information regardless of location or language. 
• Reduces the risk of miscommunication and enhances compliance with safety protocols. 
• Supports workers with disabilities and language barriers, promoting equity and inclusion. 

For TWU Local 100 Leadership:

• Since the MTA created the Chief Accessibility Officer role in 2021, most accessibility work has focused on ridership (elevators, tactile red zones, braille placards, etc.). For the workforce, however, direct stewardship aimed at strengthening accessibility in TWU members’ day‑to‑day procedures has been relatively limited.
• As a first‑of‑its‑kind effort, this initiative gives TWU Local 100 an opportunity to engage with Accessibility Leadership to strengthen workforce policies and operations, and help shape governance in this emerging and essential space.

Pilot Recommendation

A 30-day pilot with a representative operational unit is proposed to evaluate message delivery, reliability, comprehension, accessibility impact, and safety outcomes. Endorsement from TWU Local 100 Leadership will be essential to advance this program and ensure it meets members’ needs.

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

Support from TWU Local 100 Leadership is respectfully sought to advance this initiative and strengthen accessible safety communication for all members. Thank you for your continued commitment to our diverse workforce. 

For questions or feedback, please contact Nicole Weedon, SM-G, Facilities at nicole.weedon@nyct.com.