Observed annually in October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices.
The NFPA Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for People with Disabilities was developed with input from the disability community to provide general information on this important topic. In addition to providing information on the five general categories of disabilities (mobility impairments, visual impairments, hearing impairments, speech impairments, and cognitive impairments), the Guide outlines the four elements of evacuation information that occupants need: notification, way finding, use of the way, and assistance. Also included is a Personal Emergency Evacuation Planning Checklist that building services managers and people with disabilities can use to design a personalized evacuation plan.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month provides an opportunity to perform an annual review of your site’s emergency response plans to ensure they properly account for our coworkers with disabilities.
Please see the links below for more information.