Emergency Preparedness

Are You Ready?

The tragic events of September 11th have brought into focus the importance of taking into account the needs of all persons, including those with disabilities, in preparing for, and responding to, disasters and emergencies”…

U.S. Access Board

Stairwell Emergency Evacuation Illustration

What the Americans with Disabilities

Act Requires:

The ADA requires that employers, state and local government, stores, malls and other places of public accommodation modify their policies and procedures to ensure the safety of people with disabilities. This includes employees, customers, and visitors.

Ü The owners of a personal care home in Louisiana were indicted on

criminal charges for the death of 34 of their elderly and disabled

residents for failure to evacuate the residents during Hurricane

Katrina.

Ü In a precedent setting case, a Marshall’s store in Maryland was sued

by a customer with a disability for their failure to provide for a safe

evacuation of their store. The settlement agreement included:

· An undisclosed financial penalty

· Requirement to provide emergency exit or area

of rescue assistance in all of their stores

· Develop and train employees on it’s procedures

for people with disabilities

How ADA, Inc. can help:

Precautions can be taken to protect everyone in a life-threatening emergency situations. Through effective evacuation planning, knowledge of one’s surroundings, ongoing drills and teamwork, such risks are preventable.

Whether you are a Fortune 500 corporation or a small business owner, you must be prepared to effectively, efficiently, and safely evacuate persons with disabilities during emergencies.

ADA, Inc. is available to assist in developing or refining current programs that will help corporations meet or exceed their goals in the areas of:

· Policies and procedures

· Work-Site accommodations and modifications

· Emergency Egress Planning

· Buddy Program™ Development

· Employee training

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