Special Considerations for Persons with Disabilities

To help persons with disabilities during an emergency:

1. Station employees with disabilities as near to exits as is possible.
2. Develop a buddy system to ensure persons with disabilities are alerted to emergencies and have assistance in evacuations. Designate alternates to serve in the absence of the regularly assigned "buddy".
3. Identify safe areas where those with disabilities may be moved if it is impossible to evacuate.
4. Make sure employees are aware that it takes several well-trained workers to move a wheelchair user down a stairwell. Evacuation equipment has been developed to facilitate a safe evacuation up or down stairs, but users must be familiar with the equipment in order for it to be most effective.
5. Be familiar with an evacuation plan to ensure evacuation proceeds quickly but safely.

Considerations for the Visually Impaired

Visually impaired visitors unfamiliar with the building will need assistance and should be assigned a "buddy" in evacuation plans. The supervisor in each suite should work with visually impaired employees to travel and study escape routes in advance and in detail.

When assisting a person who is blind or visually impaired, you should:

1. Allow them to take your right elbow and walk a half-step behind you.
2. Alert them when you’re going through doorways.
3. Pause at the first step of stairs and let them know if you're going ascending/descending a flight of stairs.

Considerations for the Hearing Impaired

The supervisor or designee shall make special considerations to warn those who are hearing impaired.

Updated January 20, 2023