Climate Change Disasters are a Disability Justice Issue

Wildfires, drought, floods, extreme temperatures — we hear about these climate change disasters happening more frequently, with more ferocity. While these events amplify risks to all of us worldwide, there are some who disproportionately bear the burden of climate change. 

Disability is often overlooked when developing policies and practices to deal with climate-related risks and disasters, even though the consequences are grave. That is the finding of an analysis, which was just released and featured by Health Affairs, a leading journal of health policy research. This special issue on disability and health emphasizes public policy needs 30 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act. It was funded by the Ford and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation among others and aims to shape the agenda for research and policy in the years ahead.

Cal State East Bay Associate Professor of Public Health Alina Engelman co-authored the article with Leyla Craig from the University of Sydney and Alastair Iles from UC Berkeley, Global Disability Justice In Climate Disasters: Mobilizing People With Disabilities As Change Agents.

“In cases around the world including the Philippines, Kenya, Australia, Puerto Rico and the U.S., we found that disabled people have suffered greatly and died during climate disasters in part because governments and nonprofits didn't consider their needs,” said Engelman. “Due to social and economic structures, disabled people are often at higher risk and may live in areas less geographically protected from the effects of climate change.”

Of an estimated one billion people worldwide living with a disability, roughly 80 percent of them live in resource-poor nations. According to Engelman, disabled people are dying during floods, hurricanes and other climate change disasters, but many of these deaths are preventable. 

Engelman and her colleagues want to elevate the conversation around climate emergencies and disability. They want policy change, but also the leadership and participation of disabled people in the disaster and humanitarian sectors. The deaf-led team say this would reframe disabled people as active leaders, advocates and support providers rather than as passive recipients of aid and enhance capacity through more comprehensive, appropriately tailored accessibility initiatives. 

“Disabled people often have to innovate in order to adapt to constantly changing everyday circumstances and this experience is valuable,” said Engelman. “Including disabled leaders can help improve our preparedness and response to climate emergencies.”