It is very concerning that the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act UK) does not appear to have addressed the areas of safe refuge in multi storey buildings for people with Learning Difficulties, should it be expectable to escort a LD person to such an area and then expect them to wait patiently until help arrives? OK we would hope or even expect that nobody would be left unaccompanied in such a situation but it should be remember that in an emergency, life or death situation many people think only of their own safety. A sad but true fact. In fact, anecdotal evidence suggests that disabled people are often forgotten during emergency evacuation.
As a wheelchair user I fully agree that we should be able to have access to most reasonable public buildings, however as an access auditor I feel if we cant get out of the building safely, we should not be going in it, at least not until those responsible have addressed all issues including egress.
My advice to all people when entering a building, is: think about how you (Or the person with you) will get out in an emergency as well as how you will get in.
Robin is a Disability Discrimination Act adviser and auditor working in the UK. www.access-auditing.com offers advice to both disabled people and businesses.
