UGA OEP encourages proactive planning by the entire University community for emergency situations. OEP recommends that any person with a disability who needs assistance alerting and/or evacuating in the event of emergency, self-identify and complete an emergency assistance referral form (EARF). This will assist OEP and other appropriate UGA departments with the development of a personal emergency plan for the individual with a disability.
Evacuating People with Disabilities
- Visually Impaired Persons – Announce the type of emergency, offer your arm for guidance, tell the person where you are going, and ask if further help is needed once you reach safety.
- People with Hearing Limitations – Turn lights on/off to gain the person’s attention, or indicate directions with gestures or write a note with evacuation directions, and assist to safety as needed.
- People Using Crutches, Canes or Walkers – Ask how you can assist them in getting out of the building. They may need someone to walk behind them to prevent others from bumping or jostling them or they may need assistance walking on level ground or down stairs.
- Wheelchair Users – Check with the individual on their preference, determine if an evacuation chair is available, remove any immediate dangers, immediately advise arriving first responders of special evacuation cases. A map of evacuation chairs on the UGA main campus or in the UGA Safe app.
