A Guide to Planning Accessible Meetings

Emergency Planning

Emergency planning must be done well in advance for all events, and it is important to know that facilities and their staff members are prepared.

During your inspection, be sure to ask about the facility’s emergency procedures and polices related to individuals with disabilities:

• Does the site have policies in place that detail procedures for providing evacuation assistance to people who would have difficulty or who would be unable to:

  • Use stairwells,

  • Hear alarms,

  • See exits,

  • Understand instructions?

• (If a multi-story facility) Does the facility have evacuation elevators (elevators with stand-by power and other safety features, which can be used in emergencies)?

  • If the facility does not have evacuation elevators, does it have areas of refuge (fire-rated spaces where people who cannot use stairs can go to register a call for help and wait for responders), or

  • Are there evacuation chairs or evacuation devices available to assist individuals who cannot use stairs?

    • If so, are staff trained on how to use them?

• How will staff orient people who are blind or don’t see well to the locations of emergency exits?

• (If a hotel or other overnight facility) Does the guest registration process include asking guests whether they would need assistance in the event of an evacuation?