Sara Brewster
02-12-2004, 05:16 PM
Posted by Sara Brewster on October 25, 2001 at 12:13:54:
Easter Seals Provides S.A.F.E.T.Y. Tips For Evacuating People With Disabilities
CHICAGO, IL -- (INTERNET WIRE) -- 10/23/2001 -- Across the country, safety and
evacuation procedures are more important than ever -- especially for the 54 million Americans with a disability.
Currently, most existing evacuation procedures do not address the needs of individuals with disabilities.
In response, Easter Seals is developing a national education initiative that will provide consumers, employers and
community leaders with proper safety and evacuation guidelines for people with disabilities.
With support from building managers, police and fire departments, government officials and other disability
organizations, Easter Seals is creating solutions that will meet the urgent needs of the disability community, said James
E. Williams, president and CEO of Easter Seals.
The guidelines, scheduled for release in January 2002, will detail specific evacuation planning procedures for people
with all types of disabilities including vision, hearing and mobility impairments.
Until then, Easter Seals encourages people with all abilities to consider these S.A.F.E.T.Y. tips when preparing for an
evacuation:
Start to prepare an evacuation plan now. If you
have a disability, identify yourself to building managers and help
devise an effective emergency procedure. People of all abilities
must be equally prepared for an emergency evacuation.
Ask family, friends and co-workers with
disabilities -- including those with vision, hearing and mobility
impairments -- about their personal evacuation concerns and
individual needs. Keep in mind that the needs of pregnant women,
older adults, and people with injuries or illnesses, are similar to
those with disabilities.
Find a "buddy." Whether at work, the movies, or a
sporting event, people with disabilities will often require
assistance in the event of an emergency or evacuation.
Evaluate the area. Pre-determine and practice
your evacuation route with your buddy. Know how to operate any
special equipment he or she may need to evacuate safely.
Test smoke detectors, public announcement systems,
fire extinguishers, flashlights, etc. to ensure proper function when
needed. Make sure alternate alert systems are available for
individuals with special needs (i.e., especially for those who are
visually or hearing impaired.)
You can help Easter Seals by making this important
issue top-of-mind in your community -- talk to business leaders,
building management, government officials, police and fire
departments.
Please visit www.easter-seals.org or call the toll-free number 1-866-BE-SAFE-5 for additional information about the
Easter Seals S.A.F.E.T.Y. First program and how to safely evacuate people with disabilities.
For more than 80 years, Easter Seals has been providing services that help children and adults with disabilities gain
greater independence. Our primary services -- medical rehabilitation, job training and employment, inclusive child care,
adult day services, and camping and recreation -- benefit more than 1 million individuals and their families each year
through 450 centers nationwide.
URL: http://www.easter-seals.org/
Return to Release
Easter Seals Provides S.A.F.E.T.Y. Tips For Evacuating People With Disabilities
CHICAGO, IL -- (INTERNET WIRE) -- 10/23/2001 -- Across the country, safety and
evacuation procedures are more important than ever -- especially for the 54 million Americans with a disability.
Currently, most existing evacuation procedures do not address the needs of individuals with disabilities.
In response, Easter Seals is developing a national education initiative that will provide consumers, employers and
community leaders with proper safety and evacuation guidelines for people with disabilities.
With support from building managers, police and fire departments, government officials and other disability
organizations, Easter Seals is creating solutions that will meet the urgent needs of the disability community, said James
E. Williams, president and CEO of Easter Seals.
The guidelines, scheduled for release in January 2002, will detail specific evacuation planning procedures for people
with all types of disabilities including vision, hearing and mobility impairments.
Until then, Easter Seals encourages people with all abilities to consider these S.A.F.E.T.Y. tips when preparing for an
evacuation:
Start to prepare an evacuation plan now. If you
have a disability, identify yourself to building managers and help
devise an effective emergency procedure. People of all abilities
must be equally prepared for an emergency evacuation.
Ask family, friends and co-workers with
disabilities -- including those with vision, hearing and mobility
impairments -- about their personal evacuation concerns and
individual needs. Keep in mind that the needs of pregnant women,
older adults, and people with injuries or illnesses, are similar to
those with disabilities.
Find a "buddy." Whether at work, the movies, or a
sporting event, people with disabilities will often require
assistance in the event of an emergency or evacuation.
Evaluate the area. Pre-determine and practice
your evacuation route with your buddy. Know how to operate any
special equipment he or she may need to evacuate safely.
Test smoke detectors, public announcement systems,
fire extinguishers, flashlights, etc. to ensure proper function when
needed. Make sure alternate alert systems are available for
individuals with special needs (i.e., especially for those who are
visually or hearing impaired.)
You can help Easter Seals by making this important
issue top-of-mind in your community -- talk to business leaders,
building management, government officials, police and fire
departments.
Please visit www.easter-seals.org or call the toll-free number 1-866-BE-SAFE-5 for additional information about the
Easter Seals S.A.F.E.T.Y. First program and how to safely evacuate people with disabilities.
For more than 80 years, Easter Seals has been providing services that help children and adults with disabilities gain
greater independence. Our primary services -- medical rehabilitation, job training and employment, inclusive child care,
adult day services, and camping and recreation -- benefit more than 1 million individuals and their families each year
through 450 centers nationwide.
URL: http://www.easter-seals.org/
Return to Release