Protected Pathways Consultants LLC (PPC) is the pioneer consultation firm that has conducted the only qualitative case study on safety protocols for vulnerable populations, and provides school districts with research-based suggestions for safety procedural adjustments needed to include students with severe disabilities. Our firm is aware that each district and campus dynamics are different, in this degree, PPC conducts initial virtual consultation individualized sessions prior to in-person district and campus site visits for data collection and specific recommendation development.

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OUR PURPOSE

 

Protected Pathways Consultants' purpose is to being awareness to the importance of addressing school safety, particularly in relation to active shooter incidents, with a specific focus on the needs of students with disabilities. PPC emphasizes the lack of comprehensive and inclusive emergency plans at the national level, which leaves many school districts ill-equipped to ensure the safety of all students.

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Disabilities can be categorized into four subgroups (intellectual, physical, mental illness, and sensory disabilities) and emphasizes that these disabilities are present in schools across the country. It suggests that the complexity of these disabilities necessitates the inclusion of special education programs in the development of school safety plans.

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The Disability Rights Movement is mentioned as a crucial factor in advocating for inclusive education for students with disabilities. However, it also points out that the movement, while promoting integration, may have unintentionally increased liability for school districts due to a lack of preparedness in addressing the unique needs and safety concerns of students with disabilities.

The passage references notable school shootings, such as Columbine High, Santa Fe High, and Sandy Hook Elementary, which have had a profound impact on the educational landscape in the United States. It suggests that revisiting and improving safety protocols and action plans in response to these tragic events is essential.

Two commonly implemented action plans for school shootings are mentioned: traditional lockdown (shelter-in-place) and multi-option (e.g., ALICE). The passage notes that these plans have been adopted across the country.

The passage highlights the need for individualized emergency plans that specifically address the safety of students with disabilities. It points out that while federal education policy and state statutes focus on general school safety plans, there is a lack of guidance and requirements for individualized emergency plans for students with disabilities.

The passage emphasizes the vulnerability of students with disabilities in the event of an active shooter incident and the importance of proactive measures to ensure their safety. It suggests conducting studies to consider the safety and well-being of this population and documenting adjustments made by individuals working directly with students with disabilities.

Overall, the passage calls for immediate attention to the safety concerns of students with disabilities and the inclusion of their specific needs in comprehensive school safety plans.

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OUR VISION

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• To PROVIDE more awareness to the oversight of students with disabilities in school safety protocols

• To PROVIDE school districts with research-based support to assist in the designing of safety protocols to include students with disabilities

• To PROVIDE school communities with trainings and research-based strategies to promote inclusive safety plans