STATE FIREFIGHTERS’ & FIRE MARSHALS’ ASSOCIATION TRAINING CONFERENCE AND CONVENTION

JUNE 15 T H , 2015

Disability Awareness & Etiquette in Emergency Situations

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 disabilityVeteran population “Silver tsunami” Not all disabilities are “visible” Legal requirementsRight 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

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: 1. has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits

one or more major life activities; OR 2. has a record of such an impairment; OR 3. 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 aso Caring for one's self o Performing manual tasks o Walking o Seeing or hearing o Speaking o Breathing o Learning o Working

Who Are People with Disabilities?

Approximately 1 in 5 (20%) people have a disabilityPeople 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 population12% of the school-aged population16.7% of the national population21.3% (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

IntegrationEqual-AccessSelf-DeterminationPhysical AccessEffective CommunicationReasonable 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…

Instead of…. Use…

Handicapped Person with a Disability

A Down’s kid He has Down syndrome

Wheelchair bound Uses a wheelchairMentally retarded Intellectual disabilityAlways an Exception….o Deafo Blindo Autism

What Are Some Common Disabilities?

People who are deaf / have hearing lossPeople who are blind or have low visionPeople who use wheelchairs or other mobility devicesPeople with autism People with cerebral palsy People with epilepsy or seizure disorders People with psychiatric disabilities or mental illnessPeople with developmental disabilities People with traumatic or acquired brain injuryPeople 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 clarityFlick 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 EnglishASL 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 presenceSpeak naturally and directly to the individualDo not shout State the nature of the emergency and offer your arm. Alert them to any obstacles as you walkDo not attempt to guide them without first asking

People Who Use Service Animals

Dogs or miniature horsesNot just “seeing eye dog” Required to be leashed but not muzzledEvacuate owner and service animal togetherNot required to wear a harness or vest, show proofMust 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 animalRelieve 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 assumptionsAsk before offering assistanceLook 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 treatedNever 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!

Disability and Disaster: Explorations and Exchanges

Tools / Resources

TIPS Trainings on the internet (free)

Disability awareness and etiquette  

Other apps FNSS Toolkit Effective Communications Toolkit

State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR)

SB 1987 84th Legislature

Hearing impaired emblem on TX license plates

Other License Plates That Indicate Hearing Impaired

Signs That Indicate Disability

Find email / link

Research and Education on Disability and Disaster

redd.tamu.edu

disabilitytips.tamu.edu

Service Animals

Contacts for Services and Support

http://disabilitytips.tamu.edu/

Advocacy and Support Groups

Disability Acronyms

Emergency Management Acronyms

http://disabilitytips.tamu.edu/

disabilityresources.tamu.edu

TX Disability Resources

TX Disability Resources Cont’d

Search Results

TX Disability Resources

About Us

Community Considerations

“Whole Community” concept – ensuring that all members of the community are planned for Integration of people with disabilities into ALL aspects of EM rather than as a supplemental or special plan

Pre-disaster planning and contracting meets the needs of children and adults with disabilitiesDurable Medical EquipmentAccessible transportationAccessible Housing

Inclusive and accessible stakeholder training

Because individuals with disabilities will be able to identify the types of disability-related needs that community residents and visitors are likely to have during emergencies as well as some of the community resources that may be available to help meet those needs.

Advance Planning

The most effective way for public health care workers to ensure that advance planning addresses the needs of people with disabilities is to involve community members with a wide variety of disabilities in the advance planning process.

Why?

Networking with the Disability Community

Advocacy groupsGovernment organizationsDisability agenciesCenters for Independent LivingProtection and Advocacy agenciesCommunity organizations

Networking with People with Disability in the Community

Community-based organizationsWork placesChurches and other faith-based organizationsSchools and higher educationRecreational clubs and facilities

Involve people with disabilities in identifying the communication and transportation needs, accommodations, support systems, equipment, services, and supplies that residents and visitors with disabilities will need during an emergency

Next Steps

Get everyone trained Get TIPS for every firetruck or every person Download the TIPS app and share with coworkers, friends and

family Learn what areas in your community have high concentrations

of people with disabilities School for the Deaf? Assisted Living Centers Centers for Independent Living

Reach out to those organizations and offer to give a talk on fire safety, review their evacuation plans, etc.

Questions?