Emergency Preparedness for Individuals with Disabilities

On this page:

Introduction
Preparing for an emergency
General tips for community members
Tips for evacuation assistance buddies
Tips for individuals with disabilities

Introduction

Emergency preparedness is about being ready for what happens and taking steps to ensure your safety before, during, and after an emergency or natural disaster. These plans are important for your safety in natural and man-made disasters. Emergency preparedness requires collective and ongoing efforts.

Preparing for an emergency

What to do before and during an emergency

The first step in preparing for an emergency is developing a personal plan. Every individual is encouraged to think through developing a personal emergency plan that outlines appropriate resources and responses in an emergency. A personal emergency plan will help reduce fear, anxiety, and losses associated with a disaster or emergency.

Having a plan in place lets you connect quickly with family or friends because you’ve planned ahead. The plan you develop should include specific evacuation procedures, sheltering procedures, and means of communication in an emergency. It is recommended that your plan be created in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, or audio). Each individual should:

Always be aware of their exact location
Know where the nearest exit and fire alarm are located
Develop a communication plan that includes
- Programming 911 and Wright State Police at 937-775-2111 (Dayton Campus) in your cell phone or 911 and Mercer County Sheriff’s Office at 419-586-6455 (Lake Campus) in your cell phone.
- Make sure that you have signed up for Wright State Alert (add hyperlink to Wright State Alert)
- Be ready to inform emergency personnel of your exact location
Determine what you will need if you have to shelter in place
- An emergency preparedness kit that includes:
  - Bottled water (at least two bottles)
  - Pop-top Canned/packaged food
  - Radio (extra batteries if not hand crank)
  - Flashlight
  - Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, comb/brush)
  - First aid kit
  - Blanket (emergency type)
  - Hand sanitizer
  - Latex/vinyl gloves
  - Dust mask
  - Eyeglasses/contact lens, solution, and an extra case
  - Extra cell phone charger or portable charger
  - Backup medication and prescriptions.
  - Infant supplies
  - Pet food and extra water
  - Extra batteries for mobility devices or hearing aids.
  - Communication aids like pen and paper or pre-programmed communication devices.
  - Special accommodation items
Identify an accessible evacuation route
- Determine if you will need assistance evacuating
- Identify at least two assistants who are willing and able to provide you with assistance during an emergency. The assistants should be friends who are likely to be in the same building at a time as you. Make sure to be specific about what type of assistance you will need.
- If you cannot evacuate safely, independently, or with assistance, identify the safest location or areas of refuge (i.e., where you can await assistance from emergency personnel). For more information on evacuation assistance and areas of refuge, please see the section below.

If you need assistance in evacuation, it is suggested that you:

Self-request assistance from two friends or colleagues at the locations you frequently visit. Indicate what type of assistance you are requesting. If physical exertion is needed, ask the buddies to verify they are physically able to assist you without harming themselves.
Familiarize yourself with the buildings you frequent, and practice using each possible evacuation route. If possible, check for obstacles. Remember that smoke, debris, flooding, loss of electricity, or other impediments may be present. Elevators are not safe for fire evacuations.
If you cannot evacuate the building, seek a location that provides refuge when possible. Call 911 or Wright State Police at 937-775-2111 (Dayton Campus) or 911 or Mercer County Sheriff’s Office at 419-586-6455 (Lake Campus) for emergency evacuation assistance. Inform another evacuee of your location. Possibilities for refuge areas:
- Enclosed stairwells that do not impede evacuation progress
- An adjoining building behind fire doors
- An room with a closed door located a safe distance from the hazard
- Exit balconies or corridors
- A designated area of refuge where available
- Report to your designated assembly area
Notify emergency responders immediately about your location and condition in the building.

Practicing your evacuation plan and communicating it to trusted individuals is essential. This is the best way to discover unanticipated issues and solve them before—instead of during—an emergency.

General tips for community members

In an emergency, community members should assist individuals with disabilities in the following ways:

Ensure that the individual is aware of the emergency. Inform persons who are deaf and hard of hearing of the emergency individually; do not assume they know what is happening by watching others.
Before attempting to offer assistance, always ask an individual with a disability how you can best help them and whether any special considerations should be made or items need to be brought with them.
You may assist in evacuating individuals with disabilities if it does not place you in personal danger.
Assist individuals unable to use the stairs by guiding them to a location that provides refuge and notifying 911 of the individual's location.
If on the ground floor, most people with disabilities can exit safely without assistance. However, it is important to verify that individuals using any assistive device can successfully leave the building unassisted via emergency routes.

Tips for evacuation assistance buddies

Do the following when assisting an individual with a vision disability during an evacuation:

Tell the person the nature of the emergency and offer your arm for guidance. This is the preferred method when acting as a "sighted guide."
Give verbal instructions to advise about the safest route or direction, using estimated distances and directional terms.
As you walk, tell the person where you are and where obstacles are located.
When you reach safety, orient the person to their surroundings and ask if they need further assistance.
If possible, ensure that a service animal is not separated from the person.

Some people with hearing disabilities may not perceive the audible fire alarm during an emergency. Use an alternative warning system, such as:

Write a note to tell the person of the situation, the nearest evacuation route, and where to meet outside. (Sample script: "FIRE! Go out the rear door on your right. NOW. Meet outside on the front lawn.")
Turn the light switch on and off to gain their attention, and then indicate through gestures or writing what is happening and what to do. Do not use the light switch technique if you smell natural gas in the area.
Give visual instructions to advise about the safest route or direction by pointing toward exits or evacuation maps.
If possible, ensure that a service animal is not separated from the person.

Assist mobility-restricted people to an area of refuge or out of the building.

Ask the person how you can best assist them in evacuating the area.
Consider the evacuation options and the suitability of carrying the person. Carrying options include:
- Using a two-person, lock-arm position.
- Having the individual sit on a sturdy chair (preferably with arms) that is then lifted and carried

Know how to help individuals who use wheelchairs

Do not lift an individual while in a wheelchair. There is too much risk involved for both the lay rescuer and the non-ambulatory person (back injury, loss of control of the wheelchair and person in it, tripping, falling).

Note: Wheelchairs have many movable or weak parts that are not constructed to withstand the stress of lifting (e.g., the seat bar, footplates, wheels, movable armrests, etc.).

Be aware that some individuals in wheelchairs may have:

Minimal ability to move and lifting them may be dangerous to their well-being.
Very little upper trunk and neck strength.
Respiratory conditions and/or equipment that increase their vulnerability to smoke, vapors, or other airborne toxicants.

Always ask the person having a disability what their needs and preferences are regarding:

Guidance on moving individuals safely without causing harm or discomfort.
Whether to extend or move extremities when lifting because of pain, braces, etc.
Whether a seat cushion or pad should be brought along.
Aftercare, if the individual will be removed from the wheelchair.

If an individual is lifted from a wheelchair during evacuation:

Ask others to bring the wheelchair.
If the wheelchair is left behind, remove it from the stairwell and ensure it does not obstruct exit routes.
Reunite the person with the wheelchair as soon as possible unless it had to be left behind to save the person.
If possible, ensure that a service animal is not separated from the person.

Know how to help individuals who have mental/cognitive disabilities (this will be a drop down)

Observe Behavior and Assist as Needed: Alert people that alarms, smoke, and/or crowds may be overwhelming, and offer assistance. Speak calmly and avoid touching the individual without permission.
Provide Reassurance: Ask how best to help and offer to stay with the person once evacuated.

Tips for Individuals with Disabilities

Individuals with vision disabilities

Individuals who are blind or visually impaired need to know an evacuation route in time of emergency. It is good to learn at least one alternate route, just in case.
If the "buddy" system is used, the buddy should be familiar with the person with a disability, specifically knowing how to provide guiding assistance. The buddy should also know the guide dog or other service animal. Additionally, backup buddies should be recruited and trained.
"Buddies" should go to the agreed meeting place to look for the individual with a disability. The buddy should immediately vacate the building if the individual is not found.
It is good to practice leaving the building by at least one of the emergency evacuation routes twice a year. This will improve the familiarity with the evacuation procedures and routes for the individual, their service animals, and their buddy/buddies.
Service animals: If the alarm sounds, individuals with service animals should always leave the building. Their service animals will learn to disregard the alarms if they don't. Additionally, never let go of your service animal.

Individuals with hearing disabilities

Individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing should talk with the Office of Disability Services (ODS) about possible accommodations they might need.
Individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing should develop a buddy system.
If the buddy is leaving their assigned work area for an extended time, i.e., for class, training, or conference/meeting attendance, a temporary buddy should be established
They should ensure their phone is connected to the Wright State Alert system.

Individuals with mobility disabilities

In an extreme emergency, Individuals using wheelchairs and scooters should consider alternative evacuations, including being picked up and carried out of the building. When circumstances necessitate separating the user and the wheelchair, keep the period of separation to a minimum.
If possible, find sufficient helpers to carry the user and the wheelchair/scooter. When traversing more than one flight of stairs, helpers may need to switch positions since one person may be doing most of the lifting. Switch positions only on level landing areas.
When the lifting is complete, follow the instructions of the wheelchair's user, restore the manual or motorized wheelchair to full operation, and assist the user to a safe area.
In worst-case scenarios, it is essential to get the person out. The wheelchair or scooter can be left behind and replaced later.

Individuals with mental/cognitive disabilities

Regularly review your evacuation plans with your buddy/buddies, RA, or supervisor.
Walk through different scenarios to make them familiar.