Temporary Modifications for Accessible Shelters

1. Temporary Modifications for Accessible Shelters Karin Ford, MSPS, IACEM Iowa Department of Public Health Photo courtesy of FEMA/Patsy Lynch 2012 Whole Community Conference July 18-20 Lisle, Illinois

2. Overview • Understanding emergency management and American’s with Disabilities Act-ADA • Identifying shelter locations • Temporary modifications • Training shelter staff • Identifying partnerships

3. Low Hanging Fruit • Accessible disaster shelter can be achieved • Provides resource typing • Creates shelter coalition • Once established, must be maintained

4. ADA and Emergency Management • Emergency management compliance would fall under Title II • All goods, services programs provided by state and local government, including third parties entities • This includes Red Cross, faith based and nonprofits • ADA requires most integrated setting

5. Shelter Types-Historically • Mass Care or general population shelters • Special needs or medical shelters – which are meant to house people who have type or level of care provided by medical personnel, nursing homes, or hospitals • Typically people with disabilities were sent to these types of shelters • Accessibility was not top priority for either

6. Medical Shelters • Must be staffed with doctors, nurses and trained personnel • Best case scenario, pre-established transfer locations at same level of care before disaster • Need medical shelters so hospitals are not overwhelmed

7. Shelter • Accessible general population shelters • Heating and cooling shelters/centers • Medical shelters • Pet shelters

8. Temporary Modifications • ADA requires most integrated setting • Temporary modifications for physical accessibility • Must be readily available

9. Where to Begin • Survey current sites for accessibility-follow DOJ/ADA guidelines • Categorize accessible to not at all • Determine is temporary modifications can increase accessibility • Inventory – know what you have and what you need

10. Four Main Areas • Parking • Entrance • Common areas • Bathrooms/shower • Typical surveys begin out and work in • Start with bathroom and work out

11. ADA Compliant Parking • Most states adopt ADAAG

12. Number of Accessible Spaces • 1 to 25 – 1 • 26 to 50 – 2 • 51 to 75 – 3 • 76 to 100 – 4 • 101 to 150 – 5 • 151 to 200 – 6 • 201 to 300 – 7 • 301 to 400 – 8 • 401 to 500 – 9 • 501 to 1000 – 2 percent of total • 1001 and over – 20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1000

13. Temporary Shelter Parking • Three stalls = two accessible • Use the middle as an access aisle • Accessible side walk • Close to entrance • Flat surface

14. Temporary Accessible Shelter Parking

15. Orange Cone • Temporary • Blocks traffic • Easy to move

16. Temporary Upright Signage • Print and laminate • Post on temporary stand • Post high enough

17. Ramps • Can be temporary • Must meet ADA specifications • Not like the photo • Need Handrails on both sides if • over 6 inches high • 72 inches long • No ski slopes

18. Entrance • Exterior doors follow local fire code • Automatic openers are recommended not required • 32 inch clear opening • Sidewalk leading up to 36 inches • Signage to accessible entrance • Communication devices must have both visual and audible signals

19. Common Areas • Sleeping • Eating • All goods and services on one level, unless working accessible elevator • Signage and warning systems accessible • Quiet room is desirable • Path of travel

20. Adequate Space • 40 square feet per person • Generally need 80 square feet for access and functional needs • Medicots are higher and wider • Service animals • Reserve wall space – use for stability, ease of transfer • Near exit

21. Bathroom/Shower • Both need to be accessible • Toilet – can use riser to meet minimum height of 17 – 19 inches • Temporary grab bars, must hold up to 250 lbs • Transfer benches for showers • Handheld or adjust features • Purchase insulation for sink pipes at big box stores • Soap and towels on counters

22. Temporary Fixtures

23. Bathroom-Water Closet

24. Sink

25. New 2010 Guidelines • New construction or structural remodeling needs to follow new regulations • Would include water closet, signs at accessible/inaccessible entrance/exit • 60% of entrances/exits be accessible • 1 in every 6 accessible spaces must be van

26. Service Animals - Dogs • Been individually trained to do work or perform tasks to mitigate disability • Must be on harness, leash or tethered unless interferes with work • Controlled through voice or other device • Do not need to be registered or show proof • Can only remove if the service animal posses a threat or is not housebroke • If asked to take the dog, use the leash not the harness or they will think they are on duty Photo courtesy of Mary R. Vogt

27. Service Animals – Miniature Horses • Generally 24 -34 inches from shoulders • Weigh between 70 – 100 pounds • Entities covered by the ADA must modify their policies where reasonable • Been individually trained to do work or perform tasks • Must be under control, housebroken • Will not compromise safety • Facility can accommodate the type, size, and weight

28. Service Animals in Shelters Staff may ask two questions • Is it required because of a disability • What work or task has it been trained to preform • Cannot ask about the person’s disability • Cannot require medical documentation, special identification card or training documentation • Or ask the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task

29. Training Shelter Staff • Understand the anatomy of a disaster • Incident Command • National Incident Management System • How to support people with access and functional needs in the shelter • Personal/family preparedness • Donations management

30. Resources • Maintain a resource list for assistive technology, durable medical equipment, consumable medical goods, medications • Within the area and out • Identify needs at intake and send to logistics • Partner with community providers

31. I Wish It Were This Easy

32. Take Away • Stop planning for disability specific • Plan using the access and functional needs approach • Establish partnerships with providers • Educate each other • Everyone has something to offer

33. How Am I Going To Remember All This? • ADA Homepage has toolkits and checklists • http://ada.gov/shleterck.htm • FNSS Guidance • Department of Justice technical assistance (800) 514-0301 voice • Call me

34. Contact Information Karin Ford, MSPS, IACEM Iowa Department of Public Health Lucas State Office Building 321 E. 12th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50317-0075 515-242-6336 Karin.Ford@idph.iowa.gov