Resources and References
Contents of this chapter
- References
- Resources
- Emergency Evacuation Devices
- Controlled Descent Devices (cables and chutes)
- Permanently Installed Systems
- Evacuation Assistance Devices
- Disability-Related Organizations
- Other Resources
References
Byzek, J., & Gilmer, T. (2001). Why Wait, Evacuate! New Mobility. 13: 20-21.
Byzek, J. and T. Gilmer (2000). Unsafe Refuge, Why did so many wheelchair users die on Sept. 11? New Mobility: 21-22, 24.
Cameron, C. (1999). Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs (Microsoft Word document).
Horovitz, B. (2001). "Some surprised to find themselves heroes." USA Today: 3B.
Job Accommodation Network (2002). Searchable Online Accommodation Resource, (SOAR) Emergency Evacuation Devices.
Juillet, E. (1993). Evacuating People with Disabilities. Fire Engineering. 146.
Kailes, J. (1996). Living and Lasting on Shaky Ground: an Earthquake Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities, KAILES - Publications, 6201 Ocean Front Walk, Suite 2, Playa del Rey, CA 90293, jik@pacbell.net.
United States Fire Administration (1995). Emergency Procedures for Employees with Disabilities in Office Occupancies, U.S. Fire Administration, Publications Center, 16825 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD 21727, Phone 301 / 447-1189, 800 / 561-3356, M-F 7:30 am - 5 pm, Fax 301 / 447-1213. (PDF file, 1.2MB)
Resources
Cabrillo College, Emergency Response Management - Assisting People with Disabilities.
Cameron, C., Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs, 1999 (Microsoft Word document).
Community Emergency Response Team Ð Los Angeles, Lifts and Carries, 2001.
Kailes, J.I., Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities, 2001.
United States Access Board, Evacuation Planning, 2002.
United States Access Board, Procedures & Technologies for People with Disabilities, Final Report of a State of the Art Review with Recommendations for Action, ATBCB 1988.
United States Access Board, Resources on Emergency Evacuation and Disaster Preparedness, 2001.Emergency Evacuation Devices
Emergency evacuation devices are available to help evacuate individuals with mobility limitations from buildings. These devices can help individuals quickly move people with mobility limitations down the stairs or across rough terrain. Evacuation chairs and other devices are not mandatory or required by law, although many building management companies and corporations purchase them voluntarily. (Job Accommodation Network 2002) (Bondi 2001)
Portable chairs permit a relatively small person to transport a larger person. With other devices, both individuals ideally should be about the same weight. These chairs are designed to travel down stairs on special tracks with friction braking systems, rollers or other devices to control the speed of descent.
When selecting a device consult the intended user. The advantages or disadvantages of these devices are dependent on the capabilities, acceptance, and understanding of the end user(s). The effectiveness or failure of evacuation chairs as a rule can be attributed to the fact that the user was not consulted on the equipment selection. Chairs that do not accommodate the physical needs of the user create problems, which may lead to a refusal to use them in an emergency. Evacuation chairs or other devices are not mandatory or required by law, although many buildings or corporations purchase them voluntarily.
EVAC+CHAIR Weighs 18 pounds and has a 300 lb. carrying capacity. Allows one person to help another get out of danger.
EVAC+CHAIR Corporation
PO Box 2396
New York, NY 10021
212 734 6222
EVACU TRAC is designed so the passenger's weight propels it down the stairs, while a governor limits the maximum descent speed. It has a 360 lb. carrying capacity.
Garaventa (Canada) Ltd.
7505 134A Street
Surrey, B.C.
Canada V3W 7B3
1 604 594 0422
Toll Free (within Canada and the United States)
1 800 663 6556
MAX Ability, Inc.
1275 Fourth Street, Suite 304
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
800 577 1555/707 575 5558
Rescue Chairs enable the transport of an individual in an emergency down or up a flight of stairs. These are emergency rescue chairs that are designated specifically for use in buildings and emergency vehicles. Chairs have 300 lb. carrying capacities.
AOK Global Products, Ltd.
90 Jefryn Blvd.
Deer Park, New York, 11729
800 649 4265/800 649 4AOK
Scalamobil is a battery operated portable stair climber that attaches to most manual folding wheelchairs. This device can ascend or descend almost any type of stair from spiral staircases to wood or stone step surfaces. It has a 264 lb. carrying capacity.
Frank Mobility Systems, Inc.
1003 International Drive
Oakdale, PA 15071
888 426 8581/724 695 7822
LifeSlider is a flat-bottomed, toboggan-like device that slides down stairs, around landings, through small doorways, around inside corners, and across pavement.
LifeSlider, Inc.
25553 61st Road
Arkansas City, KS 67005
888-442-4543
Respirators, Lab Safety Supplies
Lab Safety Supply
Box 1368,
Janesville, WI 53547-1368
800-356-0722
Controlled Descent Devices (cables and chutes)
A number of unique escape devices have been developed over the years. These include controlled descent devices of various types. These cable devices usually use a strap or chair secured to the cable by a device that is squeezed to allow descent. The more you squeeze, the faster you go. Letting go stops your descent. Most people are reluctant to evacuate down the outside of a building. The chutes may be solid or flexible fabric tubes that generally rely on friction to control speed. They have the advantage of not letting you see out, so they are more acceptable than cable devices. However, their acceptance in practice in this country has been limited. There is little objective data and research information available as to the performance of these devices. (FEMA 2001)
Permanently Installed Systems
There are several types of controlled descent devices that can be permanently installed within stairways. In some, the individual transfers from a wheelchair to the portable controlled descent chair. These chairs are designed to travel down stairs on tracks with friction braking systems, rollers or other devices to control the speed of descent.
Another type of controlled descent device is designed so the wheelchair user rolls onto the transport device and the wheelchair is secured to the device. Wheelchair users do not have to transfer from their wheelchairs. The wheelchair lift is a motor driven device that installs in a stairway. Vertical wheelchair lifts are differentiated from elevators because they are limited in the height of their vertical lift, are not enclosed, and do not go through a floor level. These lifts were originally intended for private residences, but are now being used in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, churches and public buildings. (FEMA 2001)
Evacuation Assistance Devices
VISUAL and TACTILE ALERTING DEVICES
Alerting devices can be used to notify a person who is deaf or hard of hearing to sounds in the environment. An individual can be alerted to sounds such as an emergency alarm through vibration or a light signal. A transmitter detects certain sounds and then sends a signal to a receiver that vibrates or blinks a light.
Dog gear: protective booties (Velcro pad protectors for hot metal stairs, asphalt, glass)
Wolf Packs, Inc.
1940 Soda Mountain Rd. # I
Ashland, OR 97520
541- 482-7669
Disability-Related Organizations
Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is a national network of Independent nonprofit, community based, consumer driven technology Resource Centers around the country that serve children and adults with disabilities, parents, teachers, health care and other service providers, employers, technology professionals and community organizations
Alliance for Technology Access
2175 East Francisco Blvd., Suite L
San Rafael, CA 94901
Voice: 415 455 4575, TTY: 415 455 0491
Email: ATAinfo@ATAccess.org
Web: www.ATAccess.org
Independent Living Centers (ILCs) are private, nonprofit corporations that provide advocacy and services to maximize the independence of individuals with disabilities and the accessibility of communities. To locate your nearest Independent Living Center call or visit these web sites:
Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU)
2323 Shepherd, Suite 1000
Houston, TX 77019
713.520.0232 (Voice), Phone: 713.520.5136 (TTY)
Statewide Independent Living Councils - collaborate with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to develop state independent living plans--including determining use of independent living funds provided through Part B of the Rehab Act and monitoring, reviewing, and evaluating implementation of the state plan.
National Parent Network on Disabilities
1727 King Street, Suite 305
Alexandria VA 22314
Phone: 703-684-6763 Fax: 703-836-1232
Email: npnd@cs.com
National Organization on Disability promotes the full and equal participation and contribution of America's 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life.
National Organization on Disability
910 Sixteenth Street, N.W., Suite 600
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 293-5960
Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)- US Department of Labor, programs and staff of the former President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities has been integrated in this new office. The ODEP goal is to increase employment of people with disabilities through policy analysis, technical assistance, development of best practices, and outreach, education, constituent services, and promoting ODEP's mission among employers.
American Association of People with Disabilities - nonprofit, nonpartisan, cross-disability organization whose goals are unity, leadership and impact.
Other Resources
Home
Safety
Family Disaster Preparedness - describes four steps to disaster safety--finding
out what can happen, planning, preparing, and practicing. These versions
are available on-line: Chinese, English, Korean, Spanish, and Tagalog.
Ideas for What to Include in a Plan
United States Access Board, Evacuation Planning, 2002.