I've returned from two very good workshops I've run with our library
here with a list of things to action and would appreciate some help.
On the eve of freshers week it's possible I might get a little side-
tracked.
Anyone out there developed a good policy regarding library (or
whole institution) approach? I know this might involve personal
evacuation plans but hope we don't have to go too far down this
route.
What happens in reality? Do the fire brigade make it a matter of
procedure to check the stairwells for people who use wheelchairs?
Does someone check all the carrels for students who might have
nodded off or ignored the alarm!? In some computer labs
apparently you have to have real flames before people will move.
The library have tried to ensure that they are aware users with
mobility difficulties are in the building, on the event of there being a
fire or other need to evacuate the building. The method is for users
to alert the attendant on the way in, who puts a card in a box, which
is removed when they leave. Some users, understandably, resent
having to do this. Or forget to let the attendant know when they
leave. The result being the attendants can't really be sure if a user
has entered or left the building. This makes the system fail. We've
agreed I'll look for examples of good practice elsewhere which are
common sense approaches to this issue. The result will be a clear
policy which students are made aware of. I would like to say that
students should be aware of the fire procedure and have a
responsibility to follow it.
Ian Francis
Disability Co-ordinator
Queen Mary and Westfield College
Counselling and Welfare Service
London E1 4NS UK
Tel +44 (0)171 775 3132 Fax +44 (0)171 415 3617
http://www.admin.qmw.ac.uk/welfare
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