The disability that most affects the process of notification of an emergency is hearing impairment. Many persons who are hearing-impaired can use their residual hearing effectively with the assistance of sound-amplifying devices, augmented by lip reading. However, hearing aids amplify background sounds and the sound of the emergency alarm may interfere with or drown out voice announcements in an emergency voice communication system.

Systems used for emergency notification for the hearing-impaired should be designed to alert the person through the use of light, vibration, and air movement. Strobe lights are very useful.  In some older government buildings, employees who are hearing-impaired can be provided with tactile/vibratory pagers that engage when a fire alarm has been activated. 

 

 

Braille signs are installed at some locations in buildings to assist individuals with visual impairments. The problem with the use of these signs is that the person must be at the egress points in order to read the labels. They provide no directional guidance on how to find doors or egress points in the first place.