At the Event and Emergency Planning

Emergency Planning

When planning an event, consider how the needs of people with disabilities will be handled in an emergency:

• Meet with building managers for general emergency information about the venue.
• If elevators will not be available during an evacuation and any participants are unable to exit the building, an area of refuge should be identified.  A staff person should be identified who will inform first responders of the location of any participants who remain in the building.
• Inform all on-site event staff of emergency evacuation procedures.
• Announce pertinent safety information at the start of the event.

Never assume that all individuals with disabilities need special help in an emergency and always ask before providing assistance.