"More than 43 million Americans have a disability. The identity of the group of Americans with disabilities is constantly changing — at any moment we ourselves could become part of this group, for maybe a short time or maybe for a long time."

-National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

This guide was produced by the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Library to compile resources about fire safety for disabled people. This guide is intended to help disabled people, their loved ones, and firefighters understand fire safety measures specifically designed to help those with disabilities. As you read this guide, remember that many disabilities are intersectional, and measures intended to protect one group of people may be beneficial for all.

A note on the language used in this guide- There is a longstanding debate about the language used to talk about disabled people. There are two common approaches to speaking about disabilities:

1. Person-first language, which looks to acknowledge that a person is a person, and that their disability does not define them (e.g. "person with autism").
2. Identity-first language, which emphasizes the role that the disability plays in that person's life  (e.g. "autistic person").

Person-first language is typically used by loved ones and caregivers of those with disabilities, while identity-first language is commonly preferred by disabled folks. While both are valid, it is important to be mindful of the language that we use and the implications that it has on those around us. For continuity's sake, this guide will be using identity-first language when speaking about disabled people. When in doubt, if you are speaking about a member of a specific disabled community, ask them how they would like to be spoken about!

Learn more about this language debate from Northwestern University

The Illinois Fire Service Institute Library contains books, codes and standards, DVDs, CDs, periodicals, manuals, e-resources, audiobooks, and other fire emergency resources, totaling over 65,000 items. We serve all first responders in the state of Illinois. Materials can be requested in person, by phone or email, or online through our catalog. You can search our catalog by title, author, keyword, subject, or publisher, and choose the formats you want to see. Enter as few or as many search terms as you would like; the more search terms you use the fewer results you'll get, but the results will be more specific. If you live in Illinois and have a public library card, we can send materials to your public library via interlibrary loan. Anyone is also welcome to visit us in person!

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