Workshop focuses on emergency preparedness for disabled.

Press Release Summary:



ANSI-HSSP, in collaboration with NOD EPI and NFPA DARAC, is launching workshop on Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs. Attendees will discuss standards that currently exist and in what areas new standards need to be developed. Also, actionable recommendations for timely development of standards in identified needs areas will be addressed. Scheduled for Feb 3-4, 2009, workshop will take place at Kellogg Conference Hotel in Washington, DC.



Original Press Release:



HSSP Workshop to Focus on Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities



The American National Standards Institute Homeland Security Standards Panel (ANSI-HSSP), in collaboration with the National Organization on Disability (NOD) Emergency Preparedness Initiative (EPI) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Disability Access Review and Advisory Committee (DARAC), is launching a new workshop on Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs. The workshop will be held on February 3-4, 2009.

ANSI-HSSP has convened this meeting in response to inquiries and discussions on standards that address emergency preparedness for people with special needs at previous plenary meetings and gatherings.

ANSI president and CEO S. Joe Bhatia will provide opening remarks at the workshop. The event will include a targeted group of experts, including the members of DARAC and those involved with the NOD EPI. Attendees will discuss the standards that currently exist and in what areas new standards need to be developed. Subsequently, actionable recommendations for the timely development of standards in the identified needs areas will be addressed.

Two breakout groups at the workshop will focus on the following questions:

What standards are there for the built environment for the community of people with disabilities and what standards are still needed?

What standards are there for evacuation operations and equipment for the community of people with disabilities and what standards are still needed?

The workshop will take place at Gallaudet University, the Kellogg Conference Hotel in Washington, DC. All interested parties are invited and there is no fee to participate, but advance registration is required. To register, send an email with name and contact information to HSSP@ansi.org by Monday, January 19, 2009.

ANSI-HSSP is accepting sponsors for the lunch periods during both days of the workshop. Organizations interested in becoming sponsors should contact Rena Krumholz (rkrumholz@ansi.org, 212.642.4915) no later than January 19, 2009.

The draft workshop agenda is available for review here. Questions about the event can be directed to Jessica Carl, ANSI-HSSP program administrator (jcarl@ansi.org, 212.642.4903).

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