Emergency Preparedness-Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities Webinar Series.   This session will focus on  “Evacuation Chairs: Recent Research and New Performance Standards”

 

• Date:  March 27, 2014 

• Time:  2-3:30pm Eastern Time (calculate the start time based on your location)
  Cost:  Free

 

• Registration:   www.adaconferences.org/Emergency

 

Description:

Evacuation chairs are recognized as an important component for safe emergency exit from high-rises, although they are used to assist with exit from any building which requires travel on stairs. Information on evacuation chairs has largely been anecdotal, however, or provided by manufacturers. The webinar will cover recent FEMA-funded research on the use of three main types of stair descent devices, including evacuation chairs. Results discussed will include demands on operators of the devices, as well as pilot data regarding consumer opinion of each device. The session will also cover the first performance standard on evacuation chairs, ANSI/RESNA ED-1:2013, and the key recommendations of a draft RESNA Position Paper on their use.

 Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will be able to identify two design features of evacuation chairs that enable operators to use the chairs most efficiently.
• Attendees will be able to identify two performance requirements under the RESNA ED-1: 2013 Standard for evacuation chairs.
• Attendees will be able to cite two recommendations contained in the draft RESNA Position Paper on Evacuation Chairs.

Presenters:

Steve Lavender, PhD, The Ohio State University. Dr. Steve Lavender is an Associate Professor at The Ohio State University, in the Department of Integrated Systems Engineering and the Department of Orthopedics. Dr. Lavender’s research includes ergonomic applications in emergency medical services and materials handling. Dr. Lavender recently served as research team leader in the FEMA-funded study on stair descent devices, including evacuation chairs. He has authored or co-authored over 70 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, and serves on the editorial board of Human Factors, Applied Ergonomics, and the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology.

Glenn Hedman, MS, PE, University of Illinois at Chicago. Mr. Hedman is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, in the Department of Disability and Human Development. There he serves as Director of the Assistive Technology Unit, a mobile AT clinic serving 350 consumers annually, and provides direct services in the areas of Accessibility and Worksite Modification. He was a research team member of the FEMA-funded study on stair descent devices. Mr. Hedman serves as the Chair of the RESNA Assistive Technology Standards Board, the Chair of the RESNA Standards Committee on Emergency Stair Travel Devices used by Individuals with Disabilities. He is also a Past President of RESNA.

These 90 minute webinars are delivered using the Blackboard Collaborate webinar platform and all sessions will be closed captioned.

The previous sessions in this free series can be reviewed at www.adaconferences.org/Emergency/Archives

• Questions regarding the content of the program should be directed to:  Lewis Kraus at deputy@adapacific.org

• Questions regarding registration and the technology should be directed to:  webinars@adaconferences.org or 877-232-1990 (V/TTY)

Produced by the Pacific ADA Center and supported by the Great Lakes ADA Center, both members of the ADA National Network