Emergency Evacuation Procedures For Students With Disabilities
CSUEB has established policy and procedures for ensuring our quick response for assisting students with disabilities during emergencies or disasters at on campus. Whenever there is a building evacuation, we must be aware of the potential needs of all students.
Prepare an evacuation plan in your classroom and discuss this plan with your students. Ask the class, “if any student has any special evacuation needs, perhaps due to a disability, please let me know privately how we can accommodate you in an evacuation situation.” This statement will protect the student's confidentiality.
The following guidelines will prepare you and your students to respond appropriately during an emergency:
- Students with permanent disabilities should prepare for emergencies ahead of time by instructing a classmate, instructor or fellow staff member on how to assist them in case of emergencies.
- Students with visual impairments - Offer your elbow to these students, and guide them to a safe area. Make sure that they are fully informed of the situation and what they are to do.
- Students with hearing impairments - Communicate with a short written message or speak slowly or directly to them. Use gestures to guide them toward the nearest exit or place of safety.
- Students who use wheelchairs - Consult with the students to establish the best course of action. If it is necessary to wait for exits to clear, stay with them, or try to assign someone else to accompany them. If stairs must be negotiated, it may be best to leave the wheelchair behind and have two assistants carry the student, if possible.
- Students with psychological disabilities - Give the student clear, concise instructions with a limit of one or two tasks to remember. (For example, "Go down these stairs and leave the building. Join everyone in the Staff Parking Lot."). Assign a companion if possible.
For more information on emergency procedures, go to:
