What is an Independent Emergency and Lockdown Plan (IELP)?

Organizations like Safe and Sound Schools and the ALICE Training Institute recommend the use of Independent Emergency and Lockdown Plans, or IELPs. An IELP is “is an individualized plan that addresses the unique strengths and needs of individual students with disabilities with regard to the skills needed to survive a life-threatening crisis in school,” and it encompasses a student’s medical, sensory, and communication needs. IELPs were created by special education teachers Laura Clarke and Dusty Columbia Embury, who noticed that IEPs lacked plans for helping students during an emergency. The IELP should include everything a student needs to stay safe during a drill or crisis situation.

To learn more about what should be in your child's IELP, check out this article.