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What are wheelchair-bound people to do when a building alarm disables elevators? (lemmy.sdf.org)

submitted 4 months ago by some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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We had a false alarm go off in the building where I work last week. The elevators automatically shut down forcing the use of the fire escapes. The building is 22 floors. I was lucky in that I’d just taken the elevator to the first floor to step outside on a break. When they finally let us back in, I wondered what someone with mobility issues is expected to do had the building been on fire. Just die? Have a kind soul carry them? With most people wfh at least a couple of days per week, this seems really dangerous for anyone who might get stranded.

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[-] vrek@programming.dev 3 points 4 months ago

Similar question I've wondered about... If you truly need one of those powered rideable shopping carts how do you get from your car to the cart and how do you return the cart?

[-] helpImTrappedOnline@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Some of those people might be able to walk for short periods of time. From the handicap spot, its at most 2 minutes to the cart. Maybe after 5 minutes of walking, they could be anogonizing pain. So they ride around do shopping and just have to suffer through a short walk to/from the cart.

If they completely can't walk, I guess they have to get someone to bring them the cart. Depending on the disability, you may still be able to drive, but not walk. Could be modified controls for the car or something.

Maybe you can move your legs just fine but standing on them is a problem (it's hard to push a cart and use a cane or walker)

Maybe they can walk just fine, but can't push the weight of a full cart, so they ride.

And finally, there just the lazy ones that don't really need them.

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[-] NaoPb@eviltoast.org 1 points 3 months ago

I've seen contraptions to carry people down stairs. These were meant to be carried by two able people.

Or two able people might just have to carry a disabled person down the stairs without a contraption.

I hope I'm remembering this right. Sounds humiliating but also problematic if people aren't trained to do this and/or leave the building without knowing or caring.

[-] shinigamiookamiryuu@lemm.ee 1 points 4 months ago

I don't know, but my boss promised me that if there was a fire, she'd carry me down the stairs.

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this post was submitted on 20 Jul 2024

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