Emergency Proceduresfor Employees with

Disabilities inOffice Occupancies

Federal EmergencyManagement Agency

United States FireAdministration

This document was scanned from hard copy to portable document format (PDF)and edited to 99.5% accuracy. Some formatting errors not detected during theoptical character recognition process may appear.

C O N T E N T S

Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

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I. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Notification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

How to Proceed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

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II. Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Identifying Special Needs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Discussion With the Individual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Put It in Writing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Periodic Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

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III. Special Equipment/Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Notification Appliances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Movement Aids/Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Elevators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Miscellaneous Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Sprinklered Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Areas of Refuge/Rescue Assistance . . . . . . . . . . 13

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IV. Providing Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Identifying Those With Special Needs . . . . . . . . 14

Buddy Systems and Fire Wardens . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Spontaneous Assistance Techniques . . . . . . . . . 16

Fire Department Coordination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

After Working Hours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

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V. Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Critical Language. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

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VI. Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

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VII. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S

With funding from the United States FireAdministration, this guide was develop by theNational Institute of Standards and Technologywith assistance from the National Task Force onLife Safety and People with Disabilities.

For additional copies of this publication write to:United States Fire Administration16825 South Seton AvenueEmmitsburg, Maryland 21727

Review PanelThe following individuals comprised our ReviewPanel. Their willingness to serve through theplanning session, resource, draft review.... some-times at a moment’s notice and always readywith advice and information for inclusion in thisguide.

Brian BlackEastern Paralyzed Veterans Association

Marianne CashattConsultant. Disability Awareness/Public Relations

Alan CliveFederal Emergency Management Agency

Eunice FioritoRehabilitation Services Administration

Victor GallowayRehabilitation Services Administration

Anne HirshJob Accommodation Network, affiliate of PCEPWD

Marsha MazzU.S. Architectural 6 Transportation Barriers ComplianceBoard

Bill ScottAbilities Unlimited

Certain commercial equipment or products are identified inthis guide as representative examples of products which areavailable for the purposes discussed. Such identification doesnot imply endorsement by the U.S. Government nor does itimply that the equipment identified is necessarily the bestavailable for the purpose.

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I N T R O D U C T I O N

People withdisabilities are in-creasingly movinginto the mainstreamof society, contribut-ing to the diversitywhich has been thiscountry’s strength.It is only right thatthey be providedwith the same levelof safety as the restof society, as refer-enced in the Ameri-cans with Disabili-ties Act (ADA).Equipment and pro-cedures exist thatcan provide suchsafety for any per-son with a disabilitythat is not so severethat it would pre-clude the ability towork. The keypoints regardingfinding the bestsolution for yourbuilding are, first, toremember thatevery person with adisability has unique

abilities and limita-tions, and accom-modations shouldbe tailored to theirneeds. Second, it iscrucial that the per-son be included inthe decision onwhich equipmentand procedures willwork for them toprovide them withthe confidence thatthey will be protected.

It is everyemployer’s responsi-bility to provide asafe place for allemployees to work.Employees with dis-abilities are entitledto THE SAME levelof safety as every-one else (nomore/no less). The“reasonable accom-modation” as man-dated in ADA isintended only toprovide this samelevel of safety andutility as is provided

to everyone.Further, we cannotpredict when anyone of us may needassistance, such asin the case of a bro-ken leg or the devel-opment of heart dis-ease.

The underlyingprinciple in provid-ing safety from fireand smoke in build-ings is that of safeegress: the efficientrelocation of build-ing occupants to anarea of safety usual-ly outside the build-ing. This dependson several steps.First, we must pro-vide for detectionof a fire, before itcan interfere withthe movement ofpeople. Next comesnotification of thepeople that a poten-tial danger existsand that evacuationto a predetermined

point of safetyshould begin. Thirdis the movement ofpeople through thebuilding spaces to aprotected exitwayby which they canleave the building.

The techniquesfor detection, notifica-tion and movement aregenerally appropriatefor anyone in anysetting, but there aresome exceptions.For example, specialconsiderations arerequired with regardto movement in thecase of the “limitedmobility” of thepatients in healthcare occupancies andthe “limitationsimposed” on theoccupants in correc-tional occupancies.Both of these occu-pancies require spe-cial considerationswith regard to move-ment, or a higher

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level of protection(such as “defend inplace”), which doesnot require move-ment. For otheroccupancies, thepresence of individ-uals with temporaryor permanent dis-abilities requiressome additionalplanning.

The purpose ofthis guide is to pro-vide information forfacilities managersand may be usefulfor those individualswho might needspecial assistance asto the notification ofan emergency situa-tion and/or in theevacuation of abuilding. The infor-mation includesexamples of equip-ment available aswell as suggestionson procedures andcomments on someof the advantagesand the disadvan-tages. By startingwith the same infor-mation, options canbe discussed and a decision on the best

approach to provid-ing for the individuals needs can bemade. This discus-

sion is a crucial stepbecause each per-son’s capabilities andlimitations areunique; thus plansmust be designed tomeet the needs ofthe individual to bemost effective.

DetectionThe detection

of fires is generallyaccomplished byautomatic systemsthat do not requirehuman intervention.Generally, no specialaccommodations areneeded for peoplewith disabilities.

One exceptionis where manualpull stations are pro-vided in publicbuildings by whichpersons can initiatea fire alarm if theydiscover a fire beforeit is detected by theautomatic system.In recent years,codes have beenrevised to requirethat these manualpull stations bemounted at a heightto be within the"reach range" of 48"to 54" for the per-son in a wheel chair.Facility managers

Alarms: Strobe and Horn, left, and Strobe for the HearingImpaired, right, are “ADA” and “UL Standard 1971” compliant.

should also considerthat not all peoplepossess the strengthand/or dexterity tooperate some of themanual pull stationdevices (e.g., thosewith arthritis orquadriplegia).

NotificationNotification

refers to the processof informing occu-pants that an emer-gency exists andthat some action isneeded. In mostcases, this action issimply to evacuate,and the quantity ofinformation to begiven is only thisfact. Traditionally,notification of anemergency has beenaccomplished byaudible devices,which are effective

for all but thosewith hearing impair-ments. Recently,visible devices (highintensity flashinglights) are beingused along with theaudible devices tobroaden the rangeof notification effec-tiveness.

In larger build-ings, emergencyevacuation mayinvolve relocation toa safe area withinthe building orsequencing evacua-tion by floor or areaso as not to overloadthe stairways. Insuch cases, theamount of informa-tion that must beprovided to occu-pants is substantiallygreater. This is typi-cally done audibly,through emergency

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paging systems.These are effectivefor all except thosewith hearing impair-ments where textur-al displays, (televi-sion monitors orscrolling text signs)are located through-out the building, orportable devices(tactile/vibratorypagers) have beenutilized effectively.

Movement

By far, thegreatest range ofspecial needs existsin the area of move-ment of persons tosafe areas. Peopleusing wheelchairs orwith other obviousmobility disabilitiescome immediatelyto mind; but, thereare many who maynot appear to have adisability who willalso require somespecial assistance.

Permanentconditions such asarthritis or tempo-rary conditions such

as a sprained ankleor a broken leg canlimit one’s ability toevacuate quicklyand safely. Heartdisease, emphysema,asthma, or pregnan-cy can reduce stami-na to the point ofneeding assistancewhen moving downmany flights of stairs.

One majorchallenge is theidentification ofthose individualswho may need thespecial assistance.Consider personswith emphysema,asthma and otherrespiratory condi-tions who may per-form well in a drillbut then experienceproblems in an actu-al emergency situa-tion, as learned inthe World TradeCenter evacuationas a result of theFebruary 1993bombing. The peo-ple with respiratoryconditions whowere interviewed,described the terrorthey experiencedwhen faced with thegrim reality ofextreme exertionrequired to escapedown the many

flights of stairs inunfamiliar andsmoke-filled stairtowers. They alsoexplained that priorto that emergencyevacuation they hadnever consideredthemselves as hav-ing a disability thatwould qualify themas potential candi-dates for inclusionin the emergencyevacuation plans forthose requiring spe-cial assistance.

How to Proceed

There willalways be someonewho will need somespecial assistance inthe event of a fire orother emergencyrequiring evacua-tion. Thus, identify-ing these individualsis essential, neverlosing sight of thefact that some ofthese people maynot recognize theirown need for assis-tance. In addition,allowances for visi-tors present in thebuilding must alsobe made.

Once identified,individuals shouldbe consulted abouttheir specific limita-

tions and how bestto provide assis-tance. Finally, themethods for accom-modation and assis-tive devices shouldbe selected and dis-cussed. This is nec-essary to assure a safe“emergency” evacuation from the build-ing for the individualwith a disability.

The remainderof this guide is in-tended to presentthe range of possibleapproaches to theaccommodation ofspecial needs alongwith the advantagesand disadvantages.From this, it isexpected that thefacility managementand the affectedindividuals can makea more informeddecision on whatapproach wouldwork best for thespecific conditionspresent. All con-cerned should oper-ate with a commonunderstanding of theoptions so that anoptimum solutioncan be reached.

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I I . P L A N N I N G

IdentifyingSpecial Needs

While theAmericans withDisabilities Act of1990 (ADA) doesnot require formalemergency plans,Titles I and III dorequire that policiesand procedures ofpublic accommoda -tions be modified toinclude people withdisabilities. Thefacility emergencyplan which mayalready have provi-sions for individualswith limited mobili-ty must now includeall the other classifi-cations of disabilitiesas covered in theADA. These include:

n Individuals withvarying degrees ofmobility impair-ments, ranging fromslow walkers towheelchair users.

n Individuals whoare visuallyimpaired and mayrequire special assis-tance in learning theemergency evacua-tion routes or assis-tance in proceedingdown exit stairs.

Intele-Modem converts a personal computer into a TDD. Italso automatically converts PC (ASCII) to TDD (Baudot);directly connects to phone lines; automatically detects bothBaudot and ASCII calls; and is FCC approved.

Clarity Phone with built-in equalizer automatically tunes,tones and balances sounds to improve clarity, making wordsclearer, not just louder. The phone is designed to help thosewith high frequency hearing loss, a problem affecting 95% ofthe people who are hard-of-hearing. The Clarity adjustmentcontrols set the high frequency that is right for each individual.

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n Individuals withhearing impairmentsand who may requiremodification to thestandard audiblealarms.

n Individuals withtemporary impair-ments due to recov-ery from seriousmedical conditionssuch as stroke ortraumatic injuriessuch as a broken legor a sprained ankleor surgeries such asa knee or hipreplacement.

n Individuals withmedical conditionssuch as respiratorydisorders or preg-nancy who may tire

easily, need specialassistance or moretime to evacuate.

n Individuals withmental impairmentswho may becomeconfused whenchallenged with theunusual activityduring an emer-gency, lose theirsense of direction, ormay require havingemergency direc-tions that are bro-ken down into sim-plified steps or basicconcepts.

n Other populationsthat need to be con-sidered as being vul-nerable, such as visi-tors or customers

Shake-Up System. 9-V battery smoke detector, signal unit,and vibrator alert device. Detector and receiver attach towall and/or ceiling with a vibrator device placed on the desk.A smoke detector sends a transmitted signal to the receiverand activates the vibrator.

with small childrenwho require extratime to evacuatedown stairs, oremployees whowork outside thenormal workinghours. All of theseindividuals need tohave special provi-sions or contingen-cies included in theemergency plan fortheir protection.

Discussionw i t h t h eIndividual

Keep in mindthat someone with apermanent or majorimpairment general-ly knows the bestway to be assisted.A minute or so spenttalking with the in-dividual will giveyou crucial informa-tion. People provid-ing assistance shouldbe trained on howto help withoutcausing injury tothemselves or oth-ers. This is especial-ly relevant if some-one needs to be lift-ed or carried.

Put in WritingIdentify and

plan for times (of

the day and theweek) plus locationsin the workplacewhere the basic lifesafety or emergencycontingency planshave not been putin place or due, tosome other factor,might not work.

Periodic ReviewInnovative edu-

cational techniquessuch as role playingor the use of audio-visual aids mightprove more effectivethan more tradition-al methods of infor-mation dissemina-tion used in thepast. Practice usingthe elements of sec-tions II and III thatyou have selected asbeing appropriatefor your workplace.Practice will instillconfidence in one’sability to cope in an

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emergency. It willalso do more thananything else toassure that appropri-ate lifesaving actionswill be taken duringa real emergency.

Practice consistsof one of three typesof activity, - walkthrough procedures,announced drills orsurprise drills.

Practice sepa-rate parts of a planone at a time. Inthis way you canconcentratc yourefforts on the partic-ular- parts and par.-

ticular individualsrequiring moreextensive practice.Members of anemergency responseorganization (e.g.,

fire wardens) wouldbe prime candidatesfor this practiceThis is also a way ofintroducing newlyhired employees inthe workplace toimportant parts ofthe plan.

Announced DrillsAs with the

walk through proce-dures, this is intend-ed more to train thanto evaluate. Suchdrills will help identi-ly crucial coordina-tion activities andcommunication links.

Surprisc DrillsUse these drills

infrequently. De-pending on the situ-ation, this might bedone once or twiceeach year. Surprisedrills should involvesome realistic ele-ments (e.g., blockedexits.)

Panic has rarelybeen reported, eitherin drills or in actualemergencies.

Ultratec Superprint ES Thisportable, 20-character dis-play TelecommunicationsDevice for the Deaf (TDD)provides printed records ofconversations and optionalauto-answer.

Walk throughProcedures

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III. S P E C I A L E Q U I P M E N T / D E V I C E S

NotificationAppliances

The disabilitythat most affects theprocess of notifica-tion of an emer-gency condition ishearing impairment.Hearing impairmentscan range from mildhearing loss to anextreme of profounddeafness, the level atwhich individualsreceive no benefitfrom aural input.

Many personswho are hearing im-paired can use theirresidual hearingeffectively with assis-tance from hearingaids or other soundamplification devices,often augmented bylip reading.

All-in-One Carrying Case includes: TDD; telephone signaler;telephone amplifier; door knock signaler; telecaption decoder;notification vibrator; and visual/audio smoke detector.

However, hear-ing aids also amplifybackground sounds,and the sound ofthe emergencyalarms may interferewith or even drownout voice announce-

ments of an emer-gency, voice com-munication system.

Systems usedfor emergency noti-fication must com-ply with UL1971,the Underwriters

This device was used inthe study conducted in1988 by UnderwritersLaboratories to evaluatealternative signaling sys-tems that would alert per-sons with hearing impair-ments to fires and otheremergency conditions.The study establishedguidelines for the use andinstallation of the devicescovered in “Standard 1971.”

Laboratories Stan-dard for EmergencySignaling Devices forthe Hearing Impaired.The signaling de-vices covered in theUL 1971 standard aredesigned to alertpersons with hear-ing impairmentsthrough the use’ oflight, vibrations, andair movement.

Many hotelspost a sign at thedesk to makc dealor hearing impairedguests aware thatrooms with strobelights arc available.

In some gov-ernment buildings,employees who aredeaf or hard of hearinghave been providedwith tactile/vibratorypagers to notifythem when a firealarm has beenactivated.

Building man-agers who wish toprovide wheelchairassist equipment foruse by visitors canreceive assistance inselecting appropriatedevices from one ofthe groups in theResources section onpage 25.

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Audible PedestrianSystems

Another exam-ple of audible signs

Tactile Signage-Raised Text andBraille

Braille signshave been installed atsome locations inbuildings to assistindividuals with visu-al impairments. Youmay have noticedthese raised patternsof dots on elevatorcontrol panels. Theproblem with the useof such labels to markegress doors is thatthe person must be atthe door in order tofeel the label. Thus,they provide nodirectional guidanceon how to find thedoor in the first place.

AudibleDirectionalSignage

Audible remotesignage is a way of in-

forming individualswho are visually im-paired of what theyneed to know abouttheir environment.

Audible direc-tional instructionsarc transmitted bylow power radiowaves or infraredbeams. The signal/instructions are thenpicked up by a smallreceiver carried bythe individual (e.g.,“the exit is 25 stepssouth of the frontdesk,” or simply“stairway,” “restroom,”or “elevator”) act assignals when oneapproaches a stair-way, rest -room orelevator.

Talking SignsTM provide people who are blind with the direc-tional and usage clues that traditional visual signs provide forsighted persons. By sending information from installedinfrared transmitters these signs speak for themselves.Hand held sensors pick up information from the transmittersand give verbal directions to the blind individual (see illustra-tion above). These signs are installed in the San FranciscoMunicipal Railway and Bay Area Rapid Transit District.

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is the commonpedestrian trafficsignal. These signs“cuckoo” and“chirp” to alert ped-estrians to changingtraffic signals. But,these devices havesome inherent limi-tations for thosewith learning disa-bilities. They arenot currently in usefor emergency egresssystems withinbuildings, althoughthere are exit signsavailable that flashand sound internalhorns when activat-ed by the buildingfire alarm system.

MovementAids/Equipment

Another areawhere disabilitiesimpact on emer-gency egress is withmobility limitations.This is most fre-quently associatedwith wheelchairusers. Here weshould be sensitiveto the fact thatwheelchairs repre-sent mobility andare frequently fittedto accommodate thespecific physicalneeds of the user.

Thus, whether evac-uated with or with-out their wheel-chairs, they willneed their ownchairs when theyreach safety for bothphysical and psy-chological reasons.

PermanentlyInstalled Systems

There are sev-eral types of con-trolled descentdevices that can bepermanentlyinstalled withinstairways to accom-modate wheelchairusers. In some, theindividual transfersfrom the wheelchairto the portable, con-trolled descent chair.Some models permita relatively smallperson to transporta larger personwhile with otherdevices, the individ-uals ideally shouldbe about the sameweight. Thesechairs are designedto travel down stairson special trackswith friction brakingsystems, rollers orother devices tocontrol the speed ofdescent.

Another type ofcontrolled descentdevice is designed sothe wheelchair userrolls onto the trans-port device and thewheelchair issecured to thedevice. This has theadvantage that thewheelchair userdoes not have to beseparated from thechair - a situationthat will be morecomfortable andreassuring.

The wheelchairlift is a motor-drivendevice designed to beinstalled in a stair-way. Vertical wheel-

Wheelchair lifts for useindoors,top, and for useoutdoors, bottom.

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Garaventa EVACU-TRACT M

Developed in SwitzerlandTop Convenient, top ofstair storage. Middle.1. Brake system engageswhen lever is released;2. Adjustable safety belts;3. Rubber tracks gripstairs; 4. Eight auxiliarywheels for smoother rideon flat surfaces, such asstair landings. Bottom:Designed so a passenger’sweight propels it downstairs. Governor limits themaximum descent speed.

EVAC+CHAIR TM‘300-H’Top Folds for on-the-jobstorage. Can be readilyavailable for emergenciesMiddle- Unfolds/opensquickly and Weighs only15 pounds but has a 300Ib.capacity. Cantilevereddesign places seat inchesabove stairs. Other fea-tures: sliding head rest;quick-release safety beltbuckle; and instructionspermanently stamped onback. Bottom: Changes theobstacle of firestairs intousable escape route forall, e.g., pregnant women,the frail or employees withlimited stamina, or some-one with a temporarydisability.

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Scalamobil T M

Stairclimbing and powerunit, invented in GermanyThree-step process foruse. Top: First, attach han-dles to the Scalamobil.Second, attach Scala-mobil to wheelchair. Third,begin operation. Middle:12V/12AH power base.Bottom: Operator’s safetyfeatures include: automat-ic mechanical securitybrakes on every wheel;variable speed controlfrom 6-12 steps perminute, and ability to parkthe wheelchair safely onany step during ascent ordescent. Designed tonegotiate most all stairs,from the extremely narrowstair to curving circularstairs.

Chair lifts arc differ-entiated from eleva-tors in that they arc’limited in the heightof their vertical lift,arc not enclosed, anddo not go through afloor level. These

lifts were originally the wheelchair userintended for private as to the selection ofresidences, but are an emergency evac-now being used in uation chair. Thenursing homes, advantages or disad-churches and public vantages of thesebuildings. devices are depen-

Always consult dent on the capabili-

Evacuation Assistance Device

A three-per-son, assisted-wheel-chair-carry device,called “Evac-u-Straps,” was devel-oped by a wheel-chair user. It con-sists of wide paddedleather wrist bandswith velcro closuresequipped with largemetal graspinghooks. The hooksare designed to beattached to bothsides of the front ofthe wheelchair.Persons on eitherside of the wheel-chair grasp thestraps and areassisted by a thirdperson behind,keeping the wheel-chair slightly tippedbackwards. Thewheelchair userassists by hand-braking the wheels. Photos by Jake Pauls, Building

Use and Safety Institute

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ties, acceptance, andunderstanding of theend user(s). Theeffectiveness or fail-ure of evacuationchairs as a rule canbe attributed to thefact that the wheel-chair user was notconsulted as to theequipment selection.Chairs that do notaccommodate thephysical needs of theuser create problemswhich may lead to arefusal to use themin an emergency.

Elevators

Most people arefamiliar with the factthat elevators are notto be used for emer-gency egress and areso marked in mostbuildings. Elevatorcodes require thatwhen smoke detec-tors in elevator lob-bies activate, the ele-vator is recalled tothe ground floor (aslong as the groundfloor smoke detectoris not the one thatalarmed) and istaken out of service.The fire departmentcan operate the ele-vator with a specialkey and may use itto move their people

and equipment, orfor evacuation ofoccupants. Thismeans that withoutthe fire department,persons with dis-abilities are relegatedto the stairs or mustawait rescue.

In recent years(especially since the1993 World TradeCenter bombing ),there has been agrowing interest inproviding elevatorsthat can be used foremergency evacua -tion. In a study con-ducted for the Gen-eral Services Admin-istration (GSA), theNational Institute ofStandards andTechnology (NIST)found that the use ofboth elevators andstairs can improveevacuation times byas much as 50%over stairs alone.

However, ele-vators that are usedfor emergency evac-uation need to bespecially designed toassure their reliabili-ty and safety duringthe fire. NISTresearch has shownthat, with enclosedlobbies at each floor

which are pressur-ized through theshaft so that bothremain smoke free,dual power systemsfor reliability, andwater resistant com-ponents to preventfailure due to flood-ing of the shaft byfirefighting water, itis feasible to designelevators that are suf-ficiently safe to allowtheir continued usefor emergency evacu-ation. (Feasibility ofFire Evacuation by Ele-vators at FAA ControlTowers, NISTIR 5445,1994.)

Miscel laneousDevises

A number ofunique escapedevices have beendeveloped over theyears. These includecontrolled descentdevices using cablesand chutes of vari-ous types. The cabledevices usually use astrap or chair se-cured to the cableby a device that issqueezed to allowdescent. The moreyou squeeze, thefaster you go. Let-ting go stops yourdescent. Most peo-

ple are reluctant toevacuate down theoutside of a building.

The chutes maybe solid or flexiblelabric tubes thatgenerally rely onfriction to controlspeed. They havethe advantage thatthey don’t let yousee out, so they aremore acceptablethan cable devices.However, theiracceptance in prac-tice in this countryhas been limited.

There is littleinformation availableas to the perform-ance of these devicesin emergency situa-tions. These uniquespecialized escape de-vices generally haveserious shortcomings.( Egress Procedures Technologies for Peoplewith Disabilities. FinalReport of a State ofthe Art Review withRecommendationsfor Action, ATBCB1988.)

SprinkleredBuildings

In a study ofareas of refuge con-ducted by NIST forthe GSA, it was con-

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cluded that the circumstances, pro-operation of a prop- vide the protectionerly designcd and to permit evacuationmaintained sprinkler that is limited to thesystem eliminates area under immedi-the life threat to ate threat from thebuilding occupants fire. In sprinkleredregardless of their buildings it wouldindividual abilities probably be appro-and can provide priate to put moresuperior protection emphasis on under-for people with dis- standing of the pro-abilities. Sprinkler tection afforded orsystems will, in most provided with the

sprinklers and aboutlimited evacuationthrough horizontalexits versus totalevacuation from thebuilding.

Of course, whileabout 95% reliable,there is a small possi-bility that the sprin-kler system will failto extinguish the fire.For these possibili-ties, there need to be

contingency plans forproviding evacuationassistance for alloccupants, includingthose needing specialassistance.

Area of Refuge/Rescue AssistanceInside of Exit Stairways

Area of Refuge/Rescue Assistance

Even in build-ings equipped withsprinkler systems itis recommendedthat areas of refugebe provided. Thereis the small possibili-ty that the sprinklersystem will fail toextinguish the fireand there is theproblem of smokepropagation. It isquite possible for aperson with a dis-ability to be strand-ed and overcomewith smoke beforethe arrival of therescue personnel,given the difficultyin locating someonein a smoke-filledbuilding. For thesepossibilities, thereneed to be contin-gency plans for pro-viding evacuationassistance for alloccupants, as well asthose needing spe-cial assistance.

A Horizonal Exit Can Meet theRequirement for Areas ofRescue Assistance

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IV. P R O V I D I N G A S S I S T A N C E

IdentifyingThose withSpecial Needs

Before specialaccommodationscan be made, per-sons needing themmust be identified.One strategy is tomaintain a listing ofindividuals needingassistance and keep-ing it current as partof the facility’semergency plan. Atthe beginning ofemployment duringthe orientationprocess is the timeto begin to stress theimportance of iden-tifying if an individ-ual will need specialassistance. Ofcourse, since condi-tions change andpersons can becometemporarily dis-abled, this systemneeds to be flexible.

"Buddy"Systems andFire Wardens

Such lists mustbe accessible by theemergency person-nel to assist in theemergency evacua-tion. But, it shouldbe understood thatthere are many indi-viduals who are pro-tective of their rightto independence andprivacy and who

may be reluctant tohave their namesput on such a list.Some disability cate-gories are easily rec-ognizable and inthese cases the ind-vidual can be ap-proached as to whatcan be done to as-sist them in emer-gency evacuation.

It is importantto treat the individ-ual as one who hap-pens to have a par-ticular disability, andnot make the mis-take of “lumping”together all personswith disabilities inthe development ofemergency proce-durcs. There aresome emergencyplans (and codes onwhich they arebased) where allpersons with disabil-ities were “directed”to go to the area ofrescue assistance toawait members ofthe emergency teamto escort them tosafety. As a generalrule there is no rea-son that individualswho are blind ordeaf cannot use thestairs to make anindependent escape

as long as they cancffectively be noti-fied of the need toevacuate and canfind the stairway).

One of thclessons learned frominterviews of peoplewith disabilities fol-lowing the February1993 World TradeCenter bombing wasthat, prior to theincident, some ofthe people with dis-abilities said that, inthe interest of priva-cy or because theyfelt that they did notneed special assis-tance, they) hadopted not to identity)themselves to beamong those listedas disabled in theemergency manage-ment plan. Theyrealized after theincident that theydid need assistanceand that they hadnot realized howvulnerable theywere outside of nor-mal working hourswhen there werefew co-workersaround to providesuch assistance.

Buddy systemsare widely acceptedand used, but havesome inherent faultsor flaws. When setting up such a sys-tem in the work-place, consider thefollowing potentialproblem areas andpotential solutions.

To be effective, theperson and thebuddy must be ableto make contactwith each otherquickly when theneed arises. Situa-tions that can pre-vent this include:

n The “buddy” is inthe building, but isabsent from the cus-tomary work area

n The “buddy” can-not locate the per-son with a disabilitybecause the personis absent from thecustomary workarea

14

n The employeewith a disability isworking late, etc.,when the “buddy” isunavailable

n The “buddy” hasleft the company)and a new one hasyet to be identified

n The “buddy” hasnot been trained inwhat to do or howto assist

n The “buddy” isinappropriate (e.g.,not strong enough)

n The “buddy” isn’tacceptable to theemployee with adisability

n The “buddy” for-gets or is frightenedand abandons theemployee with adisability

Now, considerthe lollowing poten-tial solutions:

n Assign at least“two buddies” whoare work associates.Alert the floor war-den about the worklocation of the per-son with a disability.

n If he/she cannotlocate the assignedperson, the “buddy”should alert thefloor warden. Em-ployees could begiven pagers.

n Employees withdisabilities shouldidentify themselvesto the officials in theemergency controlcenter when in thebuilding after hours.

The officials coordi-nate immediateemergency response,call the employeeand alert respondingfire service.

n Employees withdisabilities can begiven the responsi-bility for selectingtheir own “buddies”;bimonthly emer-gency plan reviewsshould includechecking the statusof’ “buddies.”

n The “buddy” istrained by the

employee with adisability as soon asthey are recruited.

n The employeewith a disability isencouraged to selectonly “buddies” whoare capable. Practicesessions are requiredto ensure that “bud-dies” can handletheir assigned tasks.

n Employees withdisabilities areencouraged to selectonly friends/col-leagues as “buddies.”

New York City leads the nation in anumber of techniques for addressing firesafety in tall buildings, including the desig-nation of fire wardens. Under Local Law 5,a fire warden is assigned for each floor of abuilding, and is responsible for the safeevacuation of persons on that floor. Thefire warden knows who is and is not atwork that day, what visitors are present,and who might need assistance in case ofemergency. New York fire wardens takerequired training at regular intervals. Thelaw also requires a building fire safetymanager whose full-time job is to keep fireemergency plans up to date and who coor-dinates the activities of the fire wardenswith the fire service during an emergency.

1 5

SpontaneousAssistanceTechniques

VisionImpairments

When assistingpersons with visionimpairments thereare some basic. rulesto follow in order tobe effective.

n Announce yourpresence; speak outwhen entering thework area.

n Speak naturallyand directly to theindividual and NOTthrough a thirdparty. Do not shout.

n Don’t be afraid touse words like “see,”“look,” or “blind.”

n Offer assistancebut let the personexplain what help isneeded.

n Describe theaction to be taken inadvance.

n Let the individualgrasp your arm orshoulder lightly, forguidance. He/she

may choose to walkslightly behind youto gauge your bodyreactions to obsta-cles; be sure to men-tion, stairs, door-ways, narrow pas-sages, ramps, etc.

n When guiding to aseat, place the per-son's hand on theback of the chair.

n It leading severalindividuals withvisual impairmentsat the same time,ask them to holdeach other’s hands.

n You should ensurethat after exiting thebuilding that indi-viduals with im-paired vision are notabandoned” but areled to a place ofsafety, where a col-league(s) shouldremain with themuntil the emergency)is over. Another ofthe lessons learnedfrom the WorldTrade Center inci-dent involved thecomplaints of blindtenants who afterbeing escorted down

HearingImpairments

Suggestions When AssistingOwners of Dog Guides

n Do not pet or offer the dog food with-out the permission of the owner.

n When the dog is wearing its harness, heis on duty; if you want the dog not toguide its owner, have the person removethe dog’s harness.

n Plan for the dog to be evacuated withthe owner.

n In the event you are asked to take thedog while assisting the individual, it is rec-ommended that you (the helper) hold theleash and not the dog’s harness.

and out of thebuilding, wereunceremoniouslyleft in the unfamil-iar environs out-of-doors in the midstof a winter icestorm, where theyhad to negotiate icecovered sidewalksand falling glassfrom overhead.

When assistingpersons with hear-ing impairmentsthere are also somethings to keep inmind. Theseinclude:

n Flick the lightswhen entering thework area to get theperson’s attention.

n Establish eye con-

tact with the indi-vidual, even if aninterpreter ispresent.

n Face the light, donot cover or turnyour face away, andnever chew gum.

16

n Use facial expres-sions and hand ges-tures as visual cues.

n Check to see ifyou have beenunderstood andrepeat if necessary.

n Offer pencil andpaper. Write slowlyand let the individ-ual read as youwrite. Written com-munication may beespecially importantif you are unable tounderstand the indi-vidual’s speech.

n Do not allow oth-ers to interrupt orjoke with you whileconveying the emer-gency information.

n Be patient, theindividual may havedifficulty compre-hending the urgencyof your message.

n Provide the indi-vidual with a flash-light for signalingtheir location in theevent that they areseparated from therescuing team orbuddy and to facili-tate lip-reading inthe dark.

LearningDisabilities

Persons withlearning disabilitiesmay have difficultyin recognizing orbeing motivated toact in an emergencyby untrained res-cuers. They mayalso have difficultyin responding toinstructions whichinvolve more than asmall number ofsimple actions.Some suggestionsfor assisting suchpersons include:

n Their visual per-ception of writteninstructions or signsmay be confused.

n Their sense ofdirection may belimited, requiringsomeone to accompany them.

n Directions orinformation mayneed to be brokendown into simplesteps. Be patient.

n Simple signalsand/or symbols

should be used (e.g.,the graphics usedthroughout thissection).

n A person’s abilityto understandspeech is often moredeveloped thanhis/her own vocabu-lary. Do not talkabout a person toothers in front ofhim/her.

n The individualshould be treated asan adult who hap-pens to have a cog-nitive or learningdisability. Do nottalk down to themor treat them aschildren.

Mobilitylmpairments

Someone usinga crutch or a canemight be able tonegotiate stairs inde-pendently. Onehand is used tograsp the handrailthe other hand isused for the crutchor cane. Here, it is

best NOT to inter-fere with this per-son’s movement.You might be ofassistance by offer-ing to carry theextra crutch. Also,if the stairs arecrowded, you canact as a buffer and“run interference.”

Wheelchairusers are trained inspecial techniques totransfer from onechair to another.Depending on theirupper bodystrength, they mayhe able to do muchof the, work them-selves. If you assista wheelchair user,avoid putting pres-sure on the person’sextremities andchest. Such pres-sure might causespasms, pain andeven restrict breath-ing. Carrying some-one slung over yourshoulders (some-thing like the socalled fireman’scarry) is like sittingon their chest andposes danger forseveral individualswho fall within cat-egories of neurologicand orthopedic dis-abilities.

1 7

CarryTechniques

One-Person CarryTechnique

Two-PersonCarry Technique— The Swing orChair CarryTo use this tech-nique

n Carriers stand onopposite sides of theindividual

The CRADLELIFT is the preferredmethod when the

person to be carriedhas little or no armstrength. It is saferif the person beingcarried weighs lessthan the carrier’sweight.

n Take the arm onyour side and wrapit around yourshoulder.

n Grasp your carrypartner’s forearmbehind the personin the small of thehack.

n Reach under theperson’s knees tograsp the wrist ofyour carry partner’sother hand.

n Both carry part-ners should thenlean in, close to theperson, and lift onthe count of three.

n Continue pressinginto the personbeing carried foradditional supportin the carry.

1 8

The advantageof this carry is thatthe partners cansupport (with prac-tice and coordina-tion) a person whoseweight is same oreven greater thantheir own weight.

The disadvan-tage is increasedawkwardness in ver-tical travel (stairdescent) due to theincreased complexi-ty of the two personcarry. Three personsabreast may exceedthe effective widthof the stairway.

To Assist in Moving aWheelchair Downstairs

When descending stairs, standbehind the chair grasping the pushinggrips. Tilt the chair backwards until a bal-ance is achieved. Descend frontward.Stand one step above the chair, keepingyour center of gravity low and let theback wheels gradually lower to the nextstep. Be careful to keep the chair tiltedback. If possible, have another personassist by holding the frame of the wheel-chair and pushing in from the front. Butdo not lift the chair, as this places moreweight on the individual behind.

19

Other Impairments Fire DepartmentCoordinationPregnancy is

not usually consid-ered a disability, butit can result in reducedstamina or impairedmobility, especiallyin negotiating stairs.In these cases, offer towalk with the womanand be of supportboth emotionally andphysically. Remainwith her until youhave reached safetyand she has a safe,warm place to sit,

With respira-tory disorders,such as asthma oremphysema, theonset of symptomscan be triggered bystress, exertion, orexposure to smallamounts of dust orsmoke. Remind theindividual to bringinhalation medica-tion before leavingthe work place.

Persons withcardiac conditions,should be remindedto take their med-ications. Offer themassistance in walk-ing; they may havereduced stamina andrequire frequent restperiods.

It is vital tohave a clear under-standing througheffective planningand practice withthe local fire andrescue services regard-ing evacuation pro-cedures for personswith disabilities.Opinions can varyamong local fire depart-ments, for example:

n Whether individ-uals with disabilitiesshould remain intheir workplaces,assemble in an areaof refuge to awaitthe arrival of the firefighters, or whetherfellow workers shouldhelp with their imme-diate evacuation.

After Working HoursMost office fire fatalities occur outside

of normal working hours. Here, fires cangrow unnoticed and persons working alonecan be cut off from their normal egressroute. In many buildings, only a few peo-ple working late and the housekeeping staffare present at night. An employee with amobility impairment who has relied on theelevator for access may need help to getdown the stairs, but trained “buddies” areunavailable. To compensate, the individualshould alert building security upon enteringthe building. Someone will then be readyto search for and assist the individual tosafety, if needed. Alternatively, the personcould be instructed to telephone the firedepartment as to their location when anemergency occurs.

n What evacuationtechniques are to beused, in particularthe carry techniquesfor getting non-ambulatory individ-uals down the stairs.

n Whether dogguides should bepermitted to evacu-ate down the stair-way with their own-ers. There areexamples of the firedepartment instruct -ing that the dog be

Managers should ensure that shiftworkers and others who work on thepremises outside normal hours, such ascleaners, are included. If there are employ-ees whose knowledge of English may belimited, training should be given in a man-ner which they can understand. Non-English speakers and staff who have poorreading skills should be considered whenwritten instructions are being prepared.

separated from itsowner.

Whatever theplan, what is most

critical is that it becoordinated and prac-ticed with the localfire and rescue service.

20

V. G L O S S A R Y

A

ADA Americanswith DisabilitiesAct

ADAAG Americanswith DisabilitiesAct AccessibilityGuidelines

Aphasia Absence orimpairment of theability to commu-nicate throughspeech, writing orsigns

Area of RefugeArea of RescueAssistance Anarea that hasdirect access to anexit, where peoplewho are are un-able to use stairsmay remain tem-porarily in safetyto await furtherinstructions orassistance duringemergency evacu-ation.

D

C

Asthma A complexdisease whichcauses obstructionof the respiratorysystem

BE

Back Pain Can be

caused by congen-ital conditions, dis-ease or injury, butfor the millions of

people affected bythis condition thekey element isalways the same,pain.

Blind/BlindnessRange of visionimpairments fromthe inability to dis-tinguish light anddark to a loss ofpart of the visualfield or the inabili-ty to see detail.(see definition:Visually Impaired)

Brailler “Perkins

Brailler,” an all-purpose Braillewriter.

Buddy System The

system of assign-ing the appropriateindividual(s) toassist in the evacu-ation of personswith disabilities.

Cane As used bythe blind individ-ual, the cane is anatural extensionof the arm andhand and is usedas an “informationgathering” device(to locate familiarlandmarks) for thepurpose of estab-lishing a clear pathof travel. The

conventional two-point touch sys-tem: The cane ismoved from sideto side in an arcingmotion. The widthof the arc is usual-ly two inches toeither side of theshoulders. As thecane touches tothe left, the rightfoot should be for-ward. The cane tiptouches in theopposite directionof the leading foot.

Chronic ObstructivePulmonaryDisease (COPD)Includes the dis-eases of chronicbronchitis andemphysema.

CerebrovascularAccident (CVA)Localized braindamage due to aruptured bloodvessel in the brain;commonly called astroke.

Cerebral PalsyNon-progressivedisorder of thebrain, results fromdamage to thenervous system atbirth or in the firsthours or days oflife; not a disease.

Closed Circuit TVMagnifier(CCTV) Consistsof television cam-era which takesthe picture of theprinted page and atelevision monitorwhich displaysimage in enlargedform.

Critical LanguageTerminology thatis unacceptableand/or insulting topersons with dis-abilities. (see liston p. 24).

Deaf/DeafnessRange of auditoryimpairments, froma total lack of sen-sitivity to sound toreduced sensitivityto certain soundfrequencies.

Dog Guide Dogthat has been spe-cially trained toassist people whoare blind, physi-cally disabled orhearing-impaired.

Epilepsy Conditioncharacterized byoccasional sei-zures. A smallfraction of thosewith epilepsy are

2 1

photosensitive.Seizures can betriggered by flash-ing lights.

Exercise InducedBronchospasm(EIB) a form ofas thma

F

Fingerspelling

When no sign lan-guage exists for athought or concept,the word can bespelled out usingthe AmericanManual Alphabet.

G

Guide DogProprietary namefor a dog guide.

H

Handicapped

Critical language(see list on p. 24).

Hearing impairedScale of hearingimpairment rangesfrom mild hearingloss to profounddeafness, the pointat which the indi-vidual receives nobenefit from auralinput. Many hard-of-hearing personsare able to useresidual hearingeffectively withthe assistance of

hearing aids (HA)or other sound-amplificationdevices, often aug-mented by lipreading. Hearingaids amplify back-ground noises aswell as voices, sonoise caused byemergency condi-tions (alarm bells,people shouting,sirens, etc.) mayrise to an uncom-fortable level forthe person withthe hearingimpairment.

Head Pointer Stickor rod which isattached to a per-son’s head with ahead band so thatby moving thehead, an individ-ual can performtasks that wouldordinarily be per-formed by hand orfinger movement.

Hemiplegia A dis-

ability resultingfrom a CVA whichinvolves somedegree of muscleweakness andmotor skill loss onone side of thebody.

I

Interpreter

Professional whoassists a deaf per-son in communi-cating with hear-ing people whocannot sign.

L

LearningDisability Anindividual whomay have difficul-ty recognizing orbeing motivated toact in an emer-gency. These indi-viduals may alsohave difficulty infollowing anythingother than a fewsimple instruc-tions.

Little People

General term forpersons of shortstature who areless than 4’ 10” orwhose height issignificantly belowaverage.

Low Level Sign-age/Floor Proxi-mity Exit Signs

are ususally placedbetween 6” to 8”above the floor. Asupplement to therequired exit sign.The required exitsigns are usually

located over theexits or near theceiling, the firstplace to becomeobscured by smoke.

Low Vision can be

moderate to severevision impairmentwhich includesdifficulty in read-ing without mag-nification and see-ing fine detail.Some persons withlow vision may beconsidered legallyblind.

M

Means of Egress

An accessiblemeans of egress isone that complieswith these follow-ing guidelines: acontinuous andunobstructed wayof exit travel fromany point in abuilding or facilityto a public way. Ameans of egresscomprises verticaland horizontaltravel and mayinclude interven-ing room spaces,doorways, hall-ways, corridors,passageways, bal-conies ramps,stairs, enclosures,lobbies, horizontal

22

exits, courts andyards. Areas ofrefuge or evacua-tion elevatorsMAY BE includedas part of accessi-ble means ofegress. (Contactthe authority hav-ing jurisdiction orrefer to the build-ing codes for thelocal application ordefinition.)

Mobility ImpairedEmployees withmobility impair-ments can vary inthe degree of assis-tance that they re-quire. The degreeof impairment canrange from walk-ing with a slowgait (thus requir-ing more time toexit), to walkingwith a mobility aidsuch as a cane,crutches and/orbraces, to thewheelchair user.

Monitors/WardensTerms used toidentify the differ-ent assignmentsmade in theOccupantEmergency Plan.For example, theduties of theMonitor could

include assistingwith the coordina-tion of the evacua-tion of their flooror unit, identifyingpeople with dis-abilities whorequire specialassistance andcoordinatingassignment of“buddies” or assis-tants to stay withthem (e.g., seeexcerpt from NYCFire Drill & Evac-uation Rules forOffices on p. 15).

Mouth Wand Rodwith a tooth gripthat is held in themouth and usedto perform tasksthat would nor-mally be per-formed by hand.

N

Normal Criticallanguage (see liston p. 24).

NystagmusUncontrolledmovement of theeye also noticeableby (characteristic)head tilt because ithelps the personget a better focuson an object,thereby to seebetter.

O

Optical CharacterReader Devicethat can bescanned over aprinted page, read-ing the text aloudthrough a voicesynthesis system.These may alsohave provision forreading directlyfrom a computerdisk containing aword processorfile.

Opticon Device toenable a blind per-son to “read,” con-sisting of a camerathat converts printinto an image ofletters which arethen produced viavibrations onto thefinger.

P

ParaplegiaImpairment or lossof motor and/orsensory functionin the thoracic,lumbar or sacralsegments of thespinal cord, affect-ing trunk and legs.

Post PolioSyndrome Thisaffects individualswho have recov-ered from polio.

The symptomsinclude an increasein muscle weaknessand an increase inrespiratory weak-ness. Usuallynecessitates use ofa wheelchair.

Q

Quadriplegia (seetetraplegia).

S

"Seeing Eye" dogProprietary namefor dog guide.

Seizure Involuntarymuscular contrac-tion, a brief im-pairment or loss ofconsciousness, etc.,resulting from aneurological con-dition, such asepilepsy.

Service AnimaITrained dog orother animal thatprovides assistanceto a person who isblind, deaf ormobility impaired.The animal can beidentified by thepresence of a har-ness or backpack.

Sign LanguageMeans of commu-nication used bypersons who aredeaf.

Speech DisorderLimited or difficultspeech patterns orwithout speech.

T

Tactile SignageSigns or labelswith Braille, raisedletters or texturedpatterns that canbe read tactilely bypersons with visu-al impairments.

TetraplegiaImpairment or lossof motor and/orsensory functionin the cervical seg-ments of the spinalcord, affectingarms, trunk andlegs.

Text TelephoneEquipment thatincludes TTYs andemploys interac-tive graphic com-municationsthrough transmis-sion of coded sig-nals across thestandard tele-phone network.

V

Victim Critical lan-guage (see list tothe right).

Visually ImpairedA person with avision impairmentmay be totally orlegally blind. Le-gally blind impliesthat a person maybe able to differen-tiate between lightand dark or seevery large objects,but may not beable to see any-thing clearlyenough to dependon their vision inan emergency situ-ation. This can alsoinclude personswith LOW VISIONwho can see wellenough to walk butcannot read with-out magnification.

W

Wardens Personsassigned as coordi -nators of emer-gency actions byoccupants of a sin-gle floor or part of afloor of a building.

Critical LanguagePersons with disabilities are sensitive to theuse of certain terms which are consideredto be demeaning. When discussing evacu-ation plans with employees, the followingterms should be avoided.

Ablebodied

Afflicted

Amputee

Cerebral Palsied

Confined to a wheelchair

Courageous

Crippled

Deaf and Dumb

Deaf/mute

Disease

Dwarf

Gimp

Handicapped

Normal

Patient

Physically challenged

Poor

Retard, retardate or retarded

Spastic

Suffering

Unfortunate

Victim

Wheelchair bound

2 4

VI. R E S O U R C E S

ATBCBU.S. Architectural & Transportation BarriersCompliance BoardLawrence W. Roffee, Executive Director1331 F. Street, NW,Washington, DC 20004- 1111voice 1-8OO-USA-ABLE/872-2253TTY l-800-993-2822Technical Assistance on AccessibilityIssues & the ADA

PCEPWDPresident’s Committee on Employment ofPeople with DisabilitiesMaggie Roffee, Program Manager1331 “F” Street, NWWashington, DC 20004voice 202-376-6200TTY 202-376-6205

JANJob Accommodation Network*Anne E. HirshWest Virginia UniversityP.O. Box 6080918 Chestnut Ridge Road, Suite 1Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6080voice/TTY l-800-526-7234

NFPANational Fire Protection AssociationLearn Not To Burn FoundationSharon Gamache, Executive DirectorP.O. Box 9101Batterymarch ParkQuincy, Massachusetts 02269-9101voice 617-770-3000TTY 6 17-984-7880

NEMANational Electrical Manufacturers AssociationMalcolm E. O’Hagan, President2101 L Street, NW, Suite 300Washington, DC 20037voice 202-457-8400

AEMAAccessibility Equipment Manufacturers Assn.Terry Nevins-Buchholtz, Administrative AssistantP.O .Box 517842445 South Calhoun RoadNew Berlin, Wisconsin 53151voice 414-789-9890* An affiliate of PCEPWD

EPVAEastern Paralyzed Veterans AssociationBuffalo Regional OfficeBrian Black, Assistant Director

of Building Code StandardsBuffalo Regional Office111 West Huron StreetBuffalo, New York 14202voice 716-856-6582

NADNational Association of the DeafNancy J. Bloch, Executive Director814 Thayer AvenueSilver Spring, Maryland 20910voice (301) 587-1788TTY (301) 587-1789

SHHHSelf Help for Hard of Hearing People, Inc.Donna L. Sorkin, Executive Director7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200Bethesda, Maryland 20814voice 301-657-2248TTY 301-657-2249

TDITelecommunications for the Deaf, IncorporatedAlfred Sonnenstrahl, Executive Director8719 Colesville Rd, Suite 300Silver Spring, Maryland 20910voice 301-589-3786TTY 301-589-3006

One example of reference material available:1994 National Directory for TTYs with listingsof emergency numbers in the 50 states.

NFBNational Federation of the BlindPatricia Maurer, Coordinator, Community Relations1800 Johnson StreetBaltimore, Maryland 21230-4998voice 410-659-9314

ACBAmerican Council of the BlindOral Miller, National Representative1155 15th Street, NW, Suite 720Washington, DC 20005voice 202-467-5081 or 800-424-8666

25

VII. R E F E R E N C E S

page 4

Walker Equipment,a Plantronics Com-

Clarity Phone

pany, P.O. Box 829,Ringgold, GA 30736

three models forbusiness use: thebasic model, 2-linephone & 2-line fea-ture speakerphone.

page 7

Office Case-Alerting System:(adapted from casefor hotel guest room)from WeitbrechtCommunicationsDevices for the Deaf.

page 9

LABDATATM

page 5, issue Vol.20,No. 1, 1990 a quar-terly technical andinformation publica-tion by UnderwritersLaboratories Inc.,333 Pfingsten Road,Northbrook, IL 60062.

page 11

SCALAMOBIL, alberTMI, Technomar-keting, Inc, 307Bacon Road, Rouge-mont, NC 27572,voice 919-477-1387

page 7

Mult-AlertSS 12/24ADA Seriessignaling strobesfrom System Sensor,3825 Ohio Ave,St.Charles, IL 60174,voice1-800-SENSOR2.

For further informa-tion about accessi-bility equipmentand manufacturerscontact: AccessibilityEquipment andManufacturers’Association (AEMA),P.O. Box 51784,New Berlin, WI5 3 15 1 , voice/fax414-789-9900

page4

Intele-ModemU l t r a c t e c T M

450 Science Drive,Madison, WI 53711,voice/TDD 608-238-5400.

page 5

Shake-up 9-Vsmoke detector,receiver & vibratorfrom WeitbrechtCommunicationsDevices for the Deaf,2656 29th Street,Suite 205, SantaMonica, CA 90405,voice/TDD 1-800-233-9130.

page 6

Superprint ESTM

TelecommunicationDevice for the Deaf,from WeitbrechtCommunicationsDevices for the Deaf.

page 8

Talking Signs Inc.8 12 North Blvd.,Baton Rouge, LA70802. voice504-344-28 12.Talking Signs@ weredeveloped by theSmith-KettlewellEye ResearchInstitute, LoveElectronics, Inc. andTalking Signs, Inc.Installation in NewYork City, “LightHouse for theBlind,” example ofworking system inthe office buildingsetting.)

page 10

EVACU-TRACTM

Garaventa (Canada)Ltd., 7505-134AStreet, Surrey, BC,Canada V3W 7B3,voice l-800-663-6556

page 10

EVAC+CHAIRTM

Corporation, I7 East67 Street, New York,NY 10021, voice212-734-6222

page 11

LABDATATM Vol.20,No. 1, 1990, pages12 & 14. A quarter-ly technical andinformation publica-tion by UnderwritersLaboratories Inc.

page 11

EVAC-U-STRAPS,were devised by awheelchair user inAtlanta, GA.

page 13

TECH SHEET,the diagrams aretaken from one of aseries of publicationson the design re-quirements of theADA AccessibilityGuidelines (AADAG),written and com-piled by the BarrierFree Environment,Inc., design for peo-ple of all ages andall abilities, P.O. Box30634, Raleigh, NC27622.

2 6