• Personal Preparedness Planning
• Disability Law: Know your Rights
• General Disability Preparedness Information
• Develop Your Plan
• Disability Specific Preparedness
• Disaster Specific Preparedness
• Assistive Technology for Emergencies
• Personal Communications Technology for Emergencies
• Educators Preparedness
• Work Related Preparedness
• Public Spaces
• Research on Accessible Emergency Preparedness

Public Spaces

Public spaces are just that-spaces that are used by the public. They are not limited to government-owned or managed facilities but also include privately owned properties. Examples of public spaces include, but are not limited to, airports, community centers, education, training and childcare facilities, courthouses, hospitals and health care facilities, libraries, ports, offices, retail stores, museums, restaurants, hotels, theaters, pharmacies, and parks. Most, if not all, of these spaces are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Personal preparedness planning cannot be limited to the home, school and workplace. Because people with disabilities are likely to be in every public space, each emergency plan for public spaces should include access for persons with disabilities.

The following web site has more information about Public Space Preparedness:

• Public Assembly Fire Safety: Teaching Guide for Staff (PDF) (6 pp, 493 K)
  Seattle, Washington's Fire Department, Division of Fire Prevention's publication on fire safety in public spaces.
• Emergency Evacuation of People with Disabilities in Department of Education Facilities (ED/OIG I13C0017) (PDF) (16 pp, 217 K)
  This memo provides the results of an inspection of procedures for the emergency evacuation from Department of Education facilities for employees and visitors with disabilities.
• U.S. Access Board Emergency Evacuation Procedures
  The Access Board's emergency evacuation plan to address the needs of its employees who have mobility and visual disabilities.
• Emergency Preparedness Website developed by the Crisis Management Team of Gallaudet University
  Primary source of information related to emergency preparedness on campus. Includes web resources on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities.
• Emergency Procedures Handbook APPENDIX 1: Supplemental Evacuation Guidelines For People With Disabilities provided by Purdue University
  Guidelines adopted by Purdue University to assist in planning for the evacuation of people with physical disabilities.