Situational Awareness
Where ever we live, work and play, we always have to be alert to our surroundings. If you frequent a place often, such as a job or work location, take time to locate all the emergency exits and understand their emergency policies. Even if you visit a place sporadically, such as a movie or entertainment center, locate the exits and the alarm pull stations.
I walk every day as a guide dog user and a deafblind individual, I always make sure that I am alert to everything that is around me in case I need to take alternate routes somewhere, such as building fires with an area blocked off or construction blocking the road or pedestrian walkway. Although this isn’t quite emergency management-related, it is still essential for an individual with a disability to have situational awareness wherever they go. If an emergency occurs, it is important to know how to safely and confidently exit to a safe space.
What other things would you need to do to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings as a person with a disability? How would you prepare for an emergency in a place you infrequent?