EMU Fire Safety for the Disabled

Shane Coleman goes up to the fourth floor to get to his computer classes in Pray-Harrold. He completes his work on time to get closer to a degree in graphic design. But as Coleman focuses on his future, he has thoughts about his safety, as all college students do these days. But his concerns are specific to the issue of what to do in case of a fire.

For most, what to do in a fire is a no-brainer: Get out and get to safety. This is no easy task for Coleman, because of his wheelchair.

Eastern Michigan University’s fire safety plan calls for the disabled student to reach the nearest stairwell and wait for a fellow EMU Eagle to carry him or her to safety, according to the EMU Public Safety Web page.

Coleman said there was no one in his classes that could lift him. He also said it was a problem because he would not know what to do if no help was available. The Students with Disabilities Office never told me what to do and that is troubling, he said.

Coleman is a junior who has cerebral palsy. He uses an electric wheelchair for mobility purposes. This is because Coleman’s brain does not function properly. His muscles are constricted to the point he cannot walk. And because of mobility issues, Coleman has brought attention to fire safety for the disabled in EMU classrooms and buildings.

Every year college and university students experience a growing number of fire-related injuries. There are several causes for these injuries and most are due to a general lack of knowledge about fire safety, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.