A mother’s safety question sparks countywide movement for inclusive school evacuations

When IncludeAbility was founded in 2021 by Julie Hartzler, executive director, and Jenny Gerrick, chief development officer, the board of directors set an ambitious first goal: ensuring no student with a physical disability would ever be left behind during an emergency.

The idea started close to home. Hartzler’s daughter Makayla Maxwell, who uses a wheelchair, was attending Edgewood Middle School in Wooster. Like any parent, Julie wanted to know her child would be safe. When she asked about evacuation procedures for students with physical disabilities, the school didn’t yet have a clear plan.

That question led to action. IncludeAbility worked with Wooster City Schools, the Wooster Police Department and the Wooster Fire Department to create a standardized evacuation plan — not just for Maxwell, but for any student, educator and visitor with mobility challenges.

IncludeAbility received its first grant from the Wayne County Community Foundation to purchase six evacuation chairs, which were installed at Wooster High School, Edgewood Middle School and Cornerstone Elementary.

Since then the project has expanded to Triway, Smithville, Waynedale, Northwestern, Orrville, Rittman and Dalton schools, resulting in 24 evacuation chairs placed across Wayne County — an investment of $110,646.37 in safety and inclusion.

Support has come from the Wayne County Community Foundation, The Dunlap Foundation, CSB Bank, Apple Creek Bank, Killbuck Bank and countless community donors.

When Maxwell was first asked if she wanted to practice using the evacuation chair during drills, her response was simple but unforgettable.

“Mom, I never felt worthy to evacuate with my peers,” Maxwell said after her first drill. “Now I know I am.”

“That moment changed everything for me," Hartzler said. "No one should ever feel unworthy of being safe. Our mission is to make sure everyone — in every school, every workplace, every community — knows they are worthy.”

Visit www.include-ability.org to learn how to help equip every Ohio school with evacuation chairs.

“This project started with one student and one question, but it’s grown into a movement," Gerrick said. "Every time a new school installs an evacuation chair, we’re reminded that awareness leads to action, and action saves lives.”