Revising Recommendations for Evacuating Individuals with Functional Limitations from the Built Environment

Background: The rate of disability is rising in Canada as many individuals are now experiencing functional limitations due to aging, joining those with injuries and permanent or temporary impairments. In emergency situations, these individuals as well as first responders are at an increased risk of injury due to evacuation guidelines in Canada being out of date and not based on best available evidence. The Canadian evacuation guidelines were published in 2002, highlighting the immediate need to revise egressibility standards for individuals with functional limitations.