Disability Support Services

DISABILITY SELF-IDENTIFICATION TO THE UNIVERSITY

In an effort to enhance our existing emergency response plans, the university has developed an on-line process to assemble a listing of university faculty, staff or students with permanent disabilities who may need assistance with evacuating a building in an emergency.  Self-identification is voluntary.  Individuals with a with a temporary disability that would require assistance in the event of an emergency during the duration of their disabling condition should notify their Area Coordinator, Residence Assistants or supervisor.

Individuals with identified permanent disabilities who believe that they may need assistance during an emergency are strongly encouraged to complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire. The Questionnaire is available on the University's website: http://dss.cua.edu/self-identification.

The Office of Disability Support Services is available to assist students and/or address questions that may arise when completing the form.  Faculty and staff may direct concerns or questions to the EEO at 280 Leahy

Once the Questionnaire is completed by an individual, a list will be generated electronically and stored at the Department of Public Safety and Disability Support Services. This information will only be shared with persons who have a need to know for emergency response purposes (i.e. applicable staff in Residence Life, Housing Services and the Office of the Dean of Students for residential students).  Collection of this information is solely for the purpose of assisting a person with a permanent identified disability in the event of an emergency.

During university emergencies the Department of Public Safety provides for the safety of students, staff, faculty and visitors as well as the security of property. In the event of an emergency, survival is your top priority.  As such, it is strongly recommended that all members of the CUA community become familiar with how the university manages emergencies.  Please review the information available on Safety First, Safety Always (http://publicsafety.cua.edu/emergency/index.cfm) on a regular basis. 

Emergency Evacuation Procedures

During an emergency, If you can’t evacuate:

1. Call 202-319-5111 and/or go to a window and signal for help.  (NOTE:  It is recommended that all persons who may need assistance during an emergency program the phone number for DPS into their cell phones)

2. Go to the nearest exit or preferred area of safe refuge and await the arrival of emergency personnel.

If you are in a building during an emergency evacuation of any kind, notify DPS of your location so that someone with appropriate training can assist you.  Once you call DPS, they will instruct you as to the best place for you to go and wait.

If you are unable to call, try to locate any CUA faculty or staff member to either assist you or get word to DPS that you need assistance. 

The Good Samaritan Statutes would apply in situations such as these.  Therefore, if someone is willing to assist you, they would not be liable in the event something happened. The Good Samaritan Statues says that a person who renders emergency care at or near the scene of, or during an emergency, gratuitously and in good faith, is not liable for any civil damages or penalties as a result of any act or omission by the person rendering the emergency care, unless the person is grossly negligent or caused the emergency.

In the event you have to evacuate a building and you use a wheelchair, let those assisting you know that it is okay to leave the wheelchair behind.  We can replace the wheelchair. We can not replace the person in it.

It is also strongly recommended that, as an individual with a disability, you come up with your own Personal Emergency Plan (PEP) for how to evacuate during an emergency and practice.  Practice will help to ensure that it can be implemented appropriately and help identify any gaps or problems the require refinement so that it works as expected.

For more information on emergency preparedness and response, go to: http://www.cua.edu/safety/

SELF-IDENTIFICATION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES-CONFIDENTIAL QUESTIONNAIRE

Please fill in the requested information

General Information

Last Name:
First Name:
Status:	Student Faculty Staff
Phone Number:
Choose One:	Cell Office Residence Hall Room
Primary Location:	Residence Hall Primary Office
Building Name:
Room Number:
Disability Type:	Mobility Vision Hearing Health (Physical or Emotional)
Description:	Please describe the type of assistance you may need during a building evacuation. Include any mobility device you use (i.e. wheelchair, cane, crutch, service animal). Does your disability prohibit you from using steps or hinder your ability to negotiate stairs. Do NOT provide medical details.
Type this number into the box: