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Disability Awareness & Etiquette in Emergency Situations. State Firefighters’ & Fire Marshals’ Association Training Conference and Convention June 15 th , 2015. Presenters. Danielle Hesse, MA Planner, Department of State Health Services
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Disability Awareness & Etiquette in Emergency Situations State Firefighters’ & Fire Marshals’ Association Training Conference and Convention June 15th, 2015
Presenters Danielle Hesse, MA • Planner, Department of State Health Services • Chair, Training Subcommittee of the Disability Task Force Katie Sanches, MPH • Policy Analyst, Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities • Chair, Disability Task Force on Emergency Management Laura Stough, PhD • Associate Professor of Educational Psychology • Training Coordinator, Center for Disability and Development, Texas A&M University
Objectives Increase knowledge of disability etiquette and develop interaction skills Recall tips to communicate effectively and interact in a respectful manner with people with disabilities Recall how the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to public safety situations Recognize behaviors or signs that indicate that a person may have a disability and need an accommodation Next steps
Why is this topic important? • 1 in 5 persons has a disability • Veteran population • “Silver tsunami” • Not all disabilities are “visible” • Legal requirements • Right thing to do
Wedgewood Incident • Wedgewood Senior Apartments • Constructed in 1962 • 297 apartments • 11 story building with sprinklers only located on the sublevel floor • Independent living facility for adults age 55+ • Many are mobility-impaired and/or suffer from chronic ailments associated with their age
Wedgewood Incident • Many residents had difficulty evacuating the 11 story building. • Division 11 (11th floor) had numerous occupants trapped. • Attempt to use elevators failed. • 6 occupants were moved to the balcony and were recused by an Aerial Platform
Wedgewood Incident Lessons Learned Occupants with limited mobility and delayed escape characteristics create extra challenges for firefighters These challenges and risks to occupants are even greater in high-rises that lack a sprinkler system Fire Department pre-incident planning is essential for emergency response agencies in order to implement an informed action plan
Who Are People with Disabilities? Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) an individual with a disability is a person who: has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; OR has a record of such an impairment; OR is regarded as having such an impairment.
Who Are People with Disabilities? • Does not apply to impairments that are transitory or minor (6 months or less) • Not an impairment that is unsubstantial • Nearsighted • Seasonal allergies • Applies to an impairment that is substantial but moderated by medication or assistive device • Diabetes / medication • Hearing loss / hearing aid
Who Are People with Disabilities? • A “major life activity” involves functions or activities that are of central importance to daily life such as • Caring for one's self • Performing manual tasks • Walking • Seeing or hearing • Speaking • Breathing • Learning • Working
Who Are People with Disabilities? Approximately 1 in 5 (20%) people have a disability People with a sensory disability (i.e. deaf or blind). People with a physical disability (i.e. orthopedic or mobility) People with an intellectual disability (i.e. developmental or learning). Hidden disabilities (emotional, cardiac, immune system, etc.).
Statistics on Individuals with Disabilities 12.6% of the working-age population 12% of the school-aged population 16.7% of the national population 21.3% (almost 250,000) of the residents in the New Orleans metropolitan area described themselves as disabled in the 2000 Census.
Implications for Emergency Services • Title II of the ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in State and local government services, programs, and employment. • State and local governments must comply with Title II of the ADA in the emergency and disaster-related programs, services, and activities they provide • This requirement includes those provided through third parties, such as the American Red Cross, private nonprofit organizations, and religious entities
Access and Functional Needs People who may or may not have a disability but who require goods or services which allow them to maintain their independence and safety
Key Concepts in Disability • Integration • Equal-Access • Self-Determination • Physical Access • Effective Communication • Reasonable Modification
People First Language • People who happen to have conditions we call "disabilities" have been subjected to devaluation, marginalization, prejudice, and more. • Think about derogatory terms we use…. • Idiot, retard, short bus, gimp, crazy
Try This… • Always an Exception…. • Deaf • Blind • Autism
What Are Some Common Disabilities? • People who are deaf / have hearing loss • People who are blind or have low vision • People who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices • People with autism • People with cerebral palsy • People with epilepsy or seizure disorders • People with psychiatric disabilities or mental illness • People with developmental disabilities • People with traumatic or acquired brain injury • People who use service animals • People with invisible disabilities
People Who Are Deaf / Have Hearing Loss Difference between being hard of hearing and being deaf Hearing aids increase volume, not clarity Flick the lights when entering an area or room to get attention Look at the individual not the interpreter Facial expressions and hand gestures Offer to write the message down
Effective Communication ASL vs spoken or written English ASL vs ad hoc sign language Assistive technology Signage Deaf vs deaf Schools for the deaf, deaf-long apartment buildings
People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision Visual impairment vs blindness Announce your presence Speak naturally and directly to the individual Do not shout State the nature of the emergency and offer your arm. Alert them to any obstacles as you walk Do not attempt to guide them without first asking
People Who Use Service Animals Dogs or miniature horses Not just “seeing eye dog” Required to be leashed but not muzzled Evacuate owner and service animal together Not required to wear a harness or vest, show proof Must not be out of control or present a threat
Emotional Support Animals Emotional support animals (ESAs) are recognized by the Fair Housing Act and the Air Traffic Carrier Act ESAs can be any type of animal Relieve anxiety or provide comfort Relief not necessarily related to the disability Documentation is often required by airline or leasing office A person can have multiple ESAs
People with Mobility Impairments – General Always ask the person how you can help! When carrying the person, avoid putting pressure on his or her arms, legs or chest. Avoid the “fireman’s carry”. Use the one or two person carry techniques. Retrieved from FEMA Photo Library 2006.
Crutches, Canes, or Other Mobility Devices A person using crutches or a cane may be able to negotiate stairs independently. Do not interfere with the person’s movement unless asked to do so, or the nature of the emergency is such that absolute speed is the primary concern. Ask if you can help by offering to carry the extra crutch. If the stairs are crowded, act as a buffer and run interference for the other person.
Evacuating Wheelchair Users If the conversation will take more than a few minutes, sit down to speak at eye level. Wheelchair users are trained in special techniques to transfer from one chair to another. Depending on their upper body strength, they may be able to do much of the work themselves. Ask before you assume you need to help, or what that help should be.
Motorized Wheelchairs May weight up to 100 pounds unoccupied Lifting a motorized wheelchair and user up or down stairs requires two to four people People in motorized wheelchairs know their equipment better than you do! Ask about parts that may be removed. Tips on moving the wheelchair.
General Disability Etiquette • Don’t make assumptions • Ask before offering assistance • Look at the person when talking to them • People first language / respectful language • Just ask when offering assistance • Just ask when not sure what to do
Remember These Key Principles • Be considerate • When working with people with or without functional needs, treat them as you would want to be treated • Never assume • Before you attempt to assist a person, ALWAYS ask the person if help is needed or wanted • Treat everyone with dignity and respect!!!
Personal Assistants • Many people with functional needs have human and non-human personal assistants: • A service animal • A personal assistant • An ASL interpreter • A family member or other caregiver • Never separate people with functional needs from their personal assistants!
Tools / Resources • TIPS • Trainings on the internet (free) • Disability awareness and etiquette • Other apps • FNSS Toolkit • Effective Communications Toolkit
SB 1987 84th Legislature Hearing impaired emblem on TX license plates
Signs That Indicate Disability Find email / link
Research and Education on Disability and Disaster redd.tamu.edu
