Our lives are unpredictable, and our health is not guaranteed. A car accident, a sudden illness, or a rare genetic diagnosis could forever alter your family's destiny. In such challenging times, your safety should be determined by qualified medical professionals, not left to the judgment of an unqualified housing coordinator or a desk clerk. This concern is close to my heart because my daughter, Tamara, faces it every day.

Tamara has PACS1 syndrome, a rare genetic condition that results in severe, intractable epilepsy. As a wheelchair user, she was recently trapped in her apartment building behind 45 concrete stairs, without any safe fire evacuation plan in place for her. This isn’t just about my daughter—it’s about the hundreds of individuals with disabilities who face similar risks due to inadequate safety measures in residential buildings.

Considering that people with disabilities form approximately 15% of the global population, it's critical that our communities and safety protocols evolve to become inclusive and responsive to their needs. The absence of appropriate evacuation plans not only puts them at risk but also highlights systemic neglect that can have catastrophic outcomes in emergencies.

We believe it is crucial for building authorities and local government officials to enforce legislation that mandates personalized fire safety assessments for residents with disabilities. Such measures should include the installation of accessible escape routes, use of assistive evacuation devices, and regular emergency drills involving all residents. Providing specialized training for staff members in these facilities on assisting individuals with disabilities during emergencies is essential. Furthermore, creation of a funding pool to support the necessary upgrades in older buildings is a step in the right direction.

We call on municipal leaders and housing authorities to take immediate action by revisiting current safety protocols and ensuring that no one is left vulnerable in the face of danger simply because they cannot evacuate independently. We are accountable for the welfare of all our citizens, and it’s time we acted on it.

Please support this crucial change by signing this petition to make sure families like mine—and countless others—have assurance in their safety and dignity in their own homes.