California’s disabled students left behind during emergencies: ‘They just weren’t ready for someone like me’

We’re a big state with big challenges. Each morning we explain the top issues and how Californians are trying to solve them.Ryan Manriquez in his apartment building at UC Berkeley on Jan. 10, 2024. Manriquez spoke about his experience with emergency exits as a person with disabilities at a recent UC Regents meeting, prompting the university system leadership to alter its emergency safety plans.

As a safety measure, elevators shut down to contain a potential fire. Even though the alarm turned out to be false, Manriquez waited four hours before the elevator worked again, causing him to miss his favorite class that afternoon — public policy. “The chancellors are here and I know by the time we come back to the November meeting all the chancellors will be able to ensure nothing like this can happen on any of the campuses in the future,” Drake said.

“All undergraduate students and staff evacuated safely except for my personal care attendant and me,” Nguyen wrote to CalMatters. Nguyen wants to see the campus install electric evacuation chairs that allow disabled students like her to evacuate safely without relying on first responders or others. She added that as someone who doesn’t live on the first floor, she understands there might not be a safe route with an electric wheelchair.

“Students with disabilities experience an inconsistent campus infrastructure for emergency evacuation — and often, downright danger.” Currently, all campuses have emergency protocols for students with disabilities, some more extensive than others. While most campuses have evacuation chairs available, the onus falls on students to think proactively and request them, according to UC Communication Strategist Stett Holbrook.

Berk and Styner collaborate to create customized plans for students when requested. Both stressed the importance of including people with disabilities in the planning process. At UC Davis, representatives from housing, emergency management and the campus fire department are currently revising some emergency protocols, according to UC Davis Crisis Communications Manager Bill Kisliuk.

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