Being placed in an emergency situation is a stressful enough time for anyone, but if you are disabled and unable to leave an area where you are working or living, you will appreciate the need for using a call system that can warn other people that you need disability assistance.
There are two types of call systems that providers should be aware of. The first is of great use when a person simply wants to call for disability assistance when, for example, after using bathroom facilities. The second system enables people to be notified when an emergency arises, such as a person falling and needing help to either get back up again or seek medical assistance.
Using a Call System Effectively
When a person suffers an emergency, the system, which must be British Standard compliant, needs to provide instant contact between the person calling and the receiver, to make communication at the other end.
This will help rescue teams understand where disability assistance is required immediately and it also provides a great deal of satisfaction in reassuring people that help is on the way.
In an emergency that affects all or part of a building, a call system guides help towards people who cannot use the fire escapes or evacuation lifts, without personal assistance.
Call systems are designed to make them easy to operate by the user, often involving just the pushing of one button to alert the necessary authorities that help is required. Depending upon the circumstances, an alert may go out to a carer, a building manager or direct to the fire services, depending on the need. The alert button can be hung around a person’s neck or wrist or can be installed on a long cord in a bathroom area, similar to how you would turn on a bathroom light inside a bathroom area.
Automatic Telephone
A call system can include an SOS telephone number so that when an alarm is activated the telephone system will automatically dial a specific telephone number and play a prearranged recorded message to bring the necessary help swiftly and effectively. This type of system is different from a straightforward call system, where the user is using, what is effectively, a two-way communication method.
Complying With the Law
Because the systems must work 100% efficiently all of the time, they are guided by The Care Systems Act, the Tourism Council’s National Accessibility Scheme and of course, the Disability Discrimination Act, depending upon where the call system is installed.
It is an essential requirement that all businesses, via their human resources departments, formulate a personal emergency evacuation plan so that all mobility impaired employees and wheelchair users are able to leave the building within all of the rules of fire safety legislation.
Call systems can be purchased off-the-shelf or they can be bespoke installed to suit the particular circumstances of the business or residential unit.
