Temporary Modifications for Accessible Shelters

Karin Ford, MSPS, IACEMIowa Department of Public

Health

2012 Whole Community ConferenceJuly 18-20 Lisle, Illinois

Photo courtesy of FEMA/Patsy Lynch

Overview• Understanding emergency

management and American’s with Disabilities Act-ADA

• Identifying shelter locations• Temporary modifications• Training shelter staff• Identifying partnerships

Low Hanging Fruit• Accessible disaster shelter can be

achieved• Provides resource typing• Creates shelter coalition• Once established, must be

maintained

ADA and Emergency Management

• Emergency management compliance would fall under Title II

• All goods, services programs provided by state and local government, including third parties entities

• This includes Red Cross, faith based and nonprofits

• ADA requires most integrated setting

Shelter Types-Historically• Mass Care or general population

shelters• Special needs or medical shelters –

which are meant to house people who have type or level of care provided by medical personnel, nursing homes, or hospitals

• Typically people with disabilities were sent to these types of shelters

• Accessibility was not top priority for either

Medical Shelters• Must be staffed with doctors, nurses

and trained personnel• Best case scenario, pre-established

transfer locations at same level of care before disaster

• Need medical shelters so hospitals are not overwhelmed

Shelter• Accessible general population

shelters• Heating and cooling shelters/centers• Medical shelters• Pet shelters

Temporary Modifications

• ADA requires most integrated setting• Temporary modifications for physical

accessibility• Must be readily available

Where to Begin• Survey current sites for accessibility-

follow DOJ/ADA guidelines• Categorize accessible to not at all• Determine is temporary

modifications can increase accessibility

• Inventory – know what you have and what you need

Four Main Areas• Parking• Entrance• Common areas• Bathrooms/shower• Typical surveys begin out and work in • Start with bathroom and work out

ADA Compliant Parking• Most states adopt ADAAG

Number of Accessible Spaces

• 1 to 25 – 1• 26 to 50 – 2• 51 to 75 – 3• 76 to 100 – 4• 101 to 150 – 5• 151 to 200 – 6• 201 to 300 – 7• 301 to 400 – 8• 401 to 500 – 9• 501 to 1000 – 2 percent of total• 1001 and over – 20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1000

Temporary Shelter Parking• Three stalls = two accessible• Use the middle as an access aisle• Accessible side walk• Close to entrance • Flat surface

Temporary Accessible Shelter Parking

Orange Cone• Temporary• Blocks traffic• Easy to move

Temporary Upright Signage• Print and laminate• Post on temporary

stand• Post high enough

Ramps• Can be temporary• Must meet ADA specifications– Not like the photo

• Need Handrails on both sides if– over 6 inches high – 72 inches long

• No ski slopes

Entrance• Exterior doors follow local fire code• Automatic openers are

recommended not required• 32 inch clear opening• Sidewalk leading up to 36 inches• Signage to accessible entrance• Communication devices must have

both visual and audible signals

Common Areas• Sleeping• Eating• All goods and services on one level,

unless working accessible elevator• Signage and warning systems

accessible• Quiet room is desirable• Path of travel

Adequate Space• 40 square feet per person• Generally need 80 square feet for

access and functional needs–Medicots are higher and wider– Service animals

•Reserve wall space – use for stability, ease of transfer

•Near exit

Bathroom/Shower• Both need to be accessible• Toilet – can use riser to meet minimum height

of 17 – 19 inches• Temporary grab bars, must hold up to

250 lbs• Transfer benches for showers• Handheld or adjust features• Purchase insulation for sink pipes at big box

stores• Soap and towels on counters

Temporary Fixtures

Bathroom-Water Closet

Sink

New 2010 Guidelines• New construction or structural

remodeling needs to follow new regulations• Would include water closet, signs at

accessible/inaccessible entrance/exit • 60% of entrances/exits be accessible• 1 in every 6 accessible spaces must

be van

Service Animals - Dogs• Been individually trained to do work

or perform tasks to mitigate disability• Must be on harness, leash or tethered

unless interferes with work • Controlled through voice or other

device • Do not need to be registered or show

proof• Can only remove if the service animal

posses a threat or is not housebroke• If asked to take the dog, use the leash

not the harness or they will think they are on duty

Photo courtesy of Mary R. Vogt

Service Animals – Miniature Horses• Generally 24 -34 inches from shoulders• Weigh between 70 – 100 pounds• Entities covered by the ADA must modify

their policies where reasonable• Been individually trained to do work or

perform tasks • Must be under control, housebroken• Will not compromise safety• Facility can accommodate the type, size, and

weight

Service Animals in SheltersStaff may ask two questions • Is it required because of a disability • What work or task has it been trained to

preform • Cannot ask about the person’s disability • Cannot require medical documentation,

special identification card or training documentation

• Or ask the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task

Training Shelter Staff• Understand the anatomy of a

disaster• Incident Command• National Incident Management

System • How to support people with access

and functional needs in the shelter• Personal/family preparedness• Donations management

Resources• Maintain a resource list for assistive

technology, durable medical equipment, consumable medical goods, medications

• Within the area and out• Identify needs at intake and send to

logistics• Partner with community providers

I Wish It Were This Easy

Take Away• Stop planning for disability specific• Plan using the access and functional

needs approach• Establish partnerships with providers• Educate each other• Everyone has something to offer

How Am I Going To Remember All This?

• ADA Homepage has toolkits and checklists http://ada.gov/shleterck.htm

• FNSS Guidance

• Department of Justice technical assistance (800) 514-0301 voice

• Call me

Contact InformationKarin Ford, MSPS, IACEMIowa Department of Public HealthLucas State Office Building321 E. 12th StreetDes Moines, Iowa 50317-0075515-242-6336Karin.Ford@idph.iowa.gov