APTA SS-SEM-RP-022-26

This recommended practice provides information and recommendations to help public transportation agencies and first responder partners evacuate people with disabilities from transit vehicles and systems while maintaining people’s dignity, agency and safety. Evacuating people with disabilities in transit environments requires an array of considerations spanning planning, policies, procedures, equipment, vehicles, communications, coordination, training, exercises and procurement. Properly evacuating people with disabilities from transit vehicles requires transit agencies to proactively collaborate with partners, especially first responders and the disability advocacy community.

This standard attempts to provide thoughtful, respectful terminology and guidance that expresses appreciation for all members of the community while advancing critical preparedness capabilities. Personal preferences about accommodations are important and should always be sought. However, in an emergency or during an evacuation, a person may not be fully aware of the circumstances or conditions that could impact their ability to evacuate independently and safely. Ultimately, it is appropriate for an agency or first responders to err on the side of safety, even if it means not fully accommodating people’s preferences about the types of accommodations and assistance they prefer. In these situations, it’s important to communicate the urgency of the situation, and while consideration should be given to a person’s preferences, safety should take priority.