Systems and methods for handling emergency notification messages such as Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) alerts. In one example use, a mobile communications device receives a text-based message, determines that the message is an emergency alert message, and forwards at least some of the content of the message to a computer system. The computer system derives, from the content of the text-based message, data or signals that render at least some of the content of the text-based electronic message into an audio format, and transmits the data or signals to the remote communications device, which then audibly plays the message. Such a system may enable additional persons to receive emergency notifications who otherwise may not receive them, for example, persons with visual impairments, or persons using communications devices that are unable to display text.