Evacuating Persons with Disabilities

Fellow employees should be proactive and be aware of people who will need assistance.

• Clearly announce the type of emergency
• Offer your arm for guidance
• Tell the person where you are going and alert the person to obstacles

• Turn lights on and off to gain the person’s attention
• Indicate directions with gestures or a written note

• Elevators should not be used to move people with disabilities
• Seek volunteers to assist students/personnel with physical disabilities to the nearest enclosed stairway or designated Safe Haven (look for the blue signs)
• If it can be done without unreasonable personal risk, one individual should remain with the person(s); others should then advise emergency personnel of the location so the evacuation can be completed
• If a situation of imminent danger exists and the person requests assistance in evacuation before emergency personnel can arrive, assist in finding volunteers to evacuate the person per his/her instructions