In emergencies, individuals with disabilities may need assistance to evacuate or properly respond.

Quick References: Assisting a Person with a Disability;Students with Disabilities; Employees with Disabilities; Contacts
 

Assisting a Person with a Disability

• Communicate emergency response actions to individuals with hearing or vision impairments.
• If you see someone who is having trouble evacuating or responding to an emergency, you can either:
  • Help the individual relocate to a safe location, if you feel it is safe for you to do so; OR
  • Dial 911 to summon assistance.
• ​Allow the person to take your arm above the elbow and instruct him/her to follow you.
• Move slowly.
• Evacuate any service animal with the person.  If possible, do not separate a person from their service animal, wheelchair, or other assistive device.
• When you have arrived at the designated meeting location, advise the individual of the location and stay with him/her until no further help is needed.
• Notify emergency personnel of individuals who are unable to evacuate the building.  If an area of refuge is available, assist the person to that area if it is safe to do so. 

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Students with Disabilities

• If you have a disability that may impact your response to an emergency:
  • Consider registering with the Office of Accessibility.
  • Consider identifying someone in each class as a buddy to assist with your specific evacuation or sheltering needs during an emergency.
  • Talk with your professors. Let them know what special needs you have during an emergency.
• The Office of Accessibility can provide additional guidelines and identify other resources to assist with emergency planning specific to your needs.

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Employees with Disabilities

• If you have a disability that may impact your response to an emergency:
  • Consider identifying a few people in your work area to assist with your specific evacuation or sheltering needs during an emergency.
  • Notify your supervisor. Let them know what special needs you have during an emergency.
  • Notify the Campus CERT members in your work area, so they can be aware of your needs before an emergency occurs.
• The Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) Office can provide additional guidelines and identify other resources to assist with emergency planning specific to your needs.

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Contacts