Evacuation of Persons with Disabilities

Individuals with access or functional needs are urged to self-identify and work with their supervisor, colleagues and classmates to determine evacuation routes and methods, designated waiting areas and other emergency planning needs before an emergency occurs.

Individuals with access and functional needs should identify the buildings and floors they will be regularly occupying on campus. For each building identified, an Evacuation and Communication Plan or an Individual Emergency Evacuation Plan (IEEP) should be considered.

An IEEP is a personalized evacuation plan developed in coordination with an individual with a disability and a designated campus department, committee, or team. Development of a plan is a voluntary process for individuals with disabilities. If you are interested, please submit a request for an IEEP.

Students seeking an IEEP related to on campus housing, should contact UCI Student Housing.

Create a personal Evacuation and Communication Plan that includes:

  • Emergency, Personal Care Assistant, and Exit Buddy contact information.
  • Pre-prepared messaging templates for first responders and any external support persons.
  • Local first responder and building facility manager contact information.
  • Document primary and alternative emergency exit routes.
  • Document where you will meet your Exit Buddy in an emergency.
  • Document accessible routes to Evacuation Assembly Areas that are located a safe distance away from the building.

Evacuating Using Stairs

In an emergency evacuation, do not use elevators. If you are able to use the stairs in a building, please review the Stairwell Emergency Evacuation checklist below.

This checklist should be an addition to the above checklist, “What Should an Evacuation and Communication Plan Include.”

Stairwell Emergency Evacuation Checklist

  • Show your department or group of designated people where to meet you during an evacuation.
  • Let people know your emergency exit route.
  • Exit building and safely travel to an Evacuation Assembly Areas.
  • Wait to re-enter the building until the building facility manager, UCIPD, or Orange County Fire Authority inform you that the emergency has ended, and the building may be reoccupied.

Evacuating to a Designated Waiting Area

Anyone needing assistance evacuating a building should evacuate to a Designated Waiting Area. These areas are specifically designed to provide a safe space for people to wait for first responders.

* This checklist should be an addition to the above checklist, “What Should an Evacuation and Communication Plan Include”.

Designated Waiting Area Evacuation Checklist

  • Contact your Exit Buddy or meet them at a pre-arranged location, per your Evacuation and Communication plan, if needed.
  • Per your Evacuation and Communication Plan, travel your pre-identified emergency exit route to the Designated Waiting Area and await assistance.
  • Call or text 9-1-1 to request emergency responders and await assistance evacuating the building.

Disability Specific Considerations

People with Vision Disabilities

People who are Blind or visually impaired need to have an emergency exit route in times of emergency. It is good to learn at least one alternate emergency exit route, just in case.

  • Be familiar with the use of ‘text to 9-1-1’ to reach campus emergency responders.
  • If possible, someone should follow behind to protect the individual from being pushed down in the event of crowding.
  • Tell the person the nature of the emergency and offer to guide the individual by offering an elbow. Do NOT grasp the arm of a person with visual disabilities.
  • The person assisting should give verbal instructions as to where they are and advise of any obstacles as they evacuate the building.

Twice a year, it is good to practice leaving the building by at least one of the emergency exit routes. This improves familiarity of the evacuation procedures and routes for the individual, their service animal and their Exit Buddy(s).

People with Hearing Disabilities

  • Be familiar with the use of ‘text to 9-1-1’ to reach campus emergency responders.
  • Individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing have available alarm options:
    • If at work, have a strobe light mounted in their work area.
    • Develop a Exit Buddy system.
  • If the Exit Buddy is leaving their assigned work area for an extended time, i.e., for training or conference/meeting, a temporary Exit Buddy should be established.

People with Mental/Cognitive Disabilities

  • Be familiar with the use of ‘text to 9-1-1’ to reach campus emergency responders.
  • Review evacuation plans with manager/supervisor.
  • Regularly review your Evacuation and Communication Plan with your buddy(s) and supervisor.

People with Mobility Disabilities

  • Be familiar with the use of ‘text to 9-1-1’ to reach campus emergency responders.
  • A wheelchair evacuation will only be attempted by a trained professional or unless it is necessary as a last resort in a life-threatening situation.
  • If located on an upper floor, individuals may be assisted to a Designated Waiting Area or a stairwell landing to await evacuation or further instructions from Fire/Rescue or Police.
  • If you are unable to exit, your exit buddy should notify Police or Fire/Rescue authorities the location and the assistance you need.
  • If a person prefers to be removed from their wheelchair, always ascertain their preference for the manner of being removed, the number of people needed for assistance, whether to extend extremities, whether a seat cushion or pad must be used, being carried forward or backward on stairs, the need for immediate paramedic assistance upon exiting the building.

People with Neurodivergence

  • Be familiar with the use of ‘text to 9-1-1’ to reach campus emergency responders.
  • People who are neurodivergent may experience decompensating sensory overload when confronted with both loud alarms and flashing lights during an emergency.
  • In response to sensory overload, individuals may freeze or attempt to hide from the lights and sounds.
  • In addition, prior negative experiences may cause individuals to flee from uniformed first responders.
  • Due to this, it is of particular importance that a Exit Buddy be in place, and that first responders utilize what they learn in campus de-escalation training with this population.