Statutory Requirements

Americans with Disabilities Act

• Employment 42 U.S.C. 12111 et seq.
• Public Services 42 U.S.C. 12131- 12150; 28 C.F.R. Part 35.
• Public Accommodations 42 U.S.C. 12182-12183, 12188- 89; 28 C.F.R. Part 36 including Appendix A.

Public Services – ADA Title II

42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.

• Public Entities must provide equal access to programs and services for individuals with disabilities
• Visitors, constituents, lobbyists
• Removal of barriers – architectural or communication
• Modification to rules, practices, procedures

Architectural Barriers Removed

All offices of government on Capitol Hill are accessible to individuals in wheelchairs. 28 CFR 35.150; 36.304; Pt 36 App. A.

Architectural Barriers Removed

Many protruding objects have been modified so they do not endanger an individual who uses a White Cane 28 C.F.R. Pt 36 App A Sec 4.4

Communication Barriers Removed

Signage in High Contrast, Braille and Mounted at the Correct Height 28 C.F.R. Pt 36 App A Sec 4.30

• Wall maps

• Staging areas and accessible exits clearly marked 28 Pt 36 App A Sec 4.1.3(16), 4.1.(e) and 4.3

Equal Access to Programs

28 C.F.R. 35.150, 35.130(b)(iii)

• Aid, Benefit or Service Must be As Effective As That Which is Provided to Others.
• Staging Areas Integral Part of Evacuation Program

Presenters for Office of Compliance Working Group meeting on Evacuating People with Disabilities March 13, 2008

Scott R. Linsky – USCP Associate Director of Emergency Management
Michael Salmons – LOC Emergency Management Program Officer

Mobility Impaired Evacuation within the United States Capitol Complex

Scott R. Linsky Associate Director for Emergency Management Office of Plans, Operations and Homeland Security United States Capitol Police

Unique Emergency Preparedness Environment

• Challenges
  • Multiple large, old buildings
  • More than 1,000 individual employing offices
  • Significant interagency coordination required
  • High staff turnover
  • High percentage of 1st time visitors
  • Limitations on drills training
• Advantages
  • High density of trained law enforcement officers
  • Active emergency preparedness community

History

• Pre 9/11
  • Minimal history of real emergencies
  • Alarm systems and response questionable
  • Emergency Plans not coordinated
  • Little effort put into emergency preparedness
• Progress
  • Additional emergency measures added to plans
  • Establishment of preparedness programs
  • Emergency Measures Task Force