Individuals with Special Needs

Planning for Emergencies

Preparation is the key to success in dealing with an emergency. Follow these steps BEFORE an emergency occurs.

• Become familiar with important locations in each building you enter, such as a primary and secondary exit routes, stairways, phones, elevators, etc.
• Identify someone who can help you should an emergency occur and discuss your specific needs with them so they can assist you when, or if the time comes.
• If you are unable to speak or speak loudly, carry a whistle or other audible signals as a means of attracting attention in the case of emergency.

When Evacuating

• DO NOT USE ELEVATORS
• Individuals using wheelchairs should be moved or accompanied to a safe location.
• Notify emergency response personnel of their location and request rescue assistance as soon as possible.
• Guide vision impaired individuals out of the building via the nearest emergency exit.
• When you have reached safety, advise the individual of their location and stay with them if necessary.

NOTE: Except in life threatening situations, a person should only be carried by trained emergency response personnel.

Transportation Issues: If your disability requires special assistance, the Rowan University Police Department 856-256-4922 can help you get from any parking area on campus to a specific building; this includes disabilities that require wheelchairs.

Special Accommodation Request: If you have a disability that requires special, or unique accommodations call the Academic Success Center 856-256-4234 to arrange those requests.

TTY Accessibility

The Rowan University Police Department is outfitted to assist the hearing impaired with a Text Telephone system, or TTY. A TTY is a special device that allows people, who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired to use the telephone to communicate, by allowing them to type messages back and forth to one another instead of talking and listening. A TTY is required at both ends of the conversation in order to communicate.

If calling anywhere from Rowan University, dial extension 4786. If you are calling from outside of Rowan, call 856-256-4786. Our Rowan University, Police Communications personnel, can assist you and send emergency assistance if needed.