Integrating Safety & Security Plans for the Disabled

A Key Element of Any Comprehensive School Safety Plan

Educational mainstreaming for students with disabilities has presented new challenges for educators and youth serving professionals, not the least of which involves issues to effectively plan for the security and safety of those who require special care and attention during an emergency or crisis.

While Conducting Security Audit and Assessments at Schools across the country, our team has found wide disparities in Safety, Security & Emergency Management protocols and procedures for Handicapped Students, Teachers and Staff.

Our focus has always been to evaluate site based safety & security planning by utilizing the triad principal of People, Products, Policy & Procedures.

Interviews should be conducted of all effected parties including the handicapped individuals; their caregivers, medical staff and emergency responders to solicit their insight and concerns regarding safety and security in the event of an emergency.

The following questions should prove helpful to our members in addressing these important issues to highlight the need to develop or strengthen security policies to protect the handicapped:

People:

How many disabled students, teachers or staff are in the school or facility during and after class hours? What is their location? What is the type and nature of their disability? Have the handicapped individuals previously participated in any emergency drills, i.e., Fire Drills, Evacuations, Shelter-in Place, and Lockdowns? Do they have permanently assigned caregivers, aides, or medical assistants? If so, are familiar with the school's safety plan? Do they have any concerns regarding the safety & security protocols in place at the facility? Have their concerns been addressed? Were emergency drills that included handicapped individuals monitored by local first responding agencies?

Products:

Can handicapped occupants be safely transported from the building or to the designated shelter by use of a wheelchair, backboard, stretcher or other medically approved devices? If these products are required, will they be pre-positioned and readily available for easy access by assigned personnel? Will the disabled party need medication; medical supplies, batteries, consumables or personal care items after the evacuation? Are these supplies available in a medical "Go Kit" which is maintained by the care giver, aide or medical assistant? Are the supplies routinely checked to insure all needed items are within date codes and appropriate for use?

Policies & Procedures:

Have Policies addressing the needs of the handicapped been adopted by the Board of Education or Safety & Security Committee? Are they documented and included into the index of the District's Safety & Security Master plan? Has the Policy been disseminated to all facilities; Schools, administrative offices and satellite facilities? Have Procedures been adopted and incorporated in each site based Safety & Security Plan and cascaded to all teachers, administration and support staff? Have those plans been practiced under the supervision of district leadership as well as representatives from all local emergency response agencies?

By focusing in on the needs of the handicapped, your district will be better prepared to ensure that the most vulnerable have a plan in place and competently trained staff and care givers who will respond and react proficiently during any site based emergency or crisis.

Additional Information:

For additional information regarding integrating safety and security plans for the disabled call 866-531-6560 or click here to have us contact you.