Resilience
Resilience is the way that individual, institutional, and societal levels can prepare for and mitigate the harms from climate disasters and emergencies, which requires rearranging power structures to support and uplift marginalized or vulnerable communities. Disabled people bring important strengths and perspectives to the climate justice movement, especially as their knowledge and experience can shape policy, emergency response, and social change. Through resilience, adaptation, mitigation, and information, the societal impacts of climate emergencies may be alleviated.
Adaptation
Adaptive capacity is "the ability of human and natural systems to prepare for, adjust to, respond to, and recover from experienced or anticipated climate impacts," according to the U.S Global Change Research Program. It deals with the way that people and communities are able to prepare for, react to, and recover from any disaster: climate-related or not. Adaptive capacity is essential in the case of climate change, as proper resources, support, and information forms more resilient communities.
While adaptation is often seen as a personal necessity, adaptive capacity should not fall on the individual, but rather, is critical for all members of a community. When people cannot count on their government or corporations to have their best interests in mind, they can turn to one another through community efforts and mutual aid. Adaptation prepares people for the inevitable - climate change.
Desmond Tutu's idea of adaptation apartheid reflects how pre-existing disparities existing between communities and nations affect their ability to adapt to climate change measures.
"No community with a sense of justice, compassion or respect for basic human rights should accept the current pattern of adaptation. Leaving the world’s poor to sink or swim with their own meager resources in the face of the threat posed by climate change is morally wrong. Unfortunately . . . this is precisely what is happening. We are drifting into a world of 'adaptation apartheid.'"
Mitigation
Mitigation efforts aim to limit the progression and impacts of climate change. When disabled people are left out of mitigation efforts, the effects of eco-ableism and vulnerability are heightened. Mitigation can happen at every societal stage - internationally through policy, within corporations and universities through emissions reduction and divestment, and locally through built environment and community efforts.
People with disabilities bring a unique perspective to mitigation efforts, especially as they have day-to-day experience "participating in disaster management and acting as agents of social change". By focusing on the assets of disability, which some call the "disability embrace," the knowledge and experience of people with disabilities are uplifted and used to create real and effective change in the fight against climate change.
Addressing systems that perpetuate environmental racism and ableism and, including external factors that increase vulnerability in health and climate, will help with mitigation. For example, policymakers and organizations can increase personal and communal resilience by including people with disabilities in decision-making and climate-response measures.
Information/Preparation
Comprehensive information is critical at all stages of a climate emergency or disaster - in preparation, during the disaster/evacuation, and in rehabilitation. Information alone is meaningless if not accompanied with accessible resources and action plans. Community engagement is essential in ensuring that risks are properly communicated in the event of an emergency. Understanding the risk perception of people with disabilities can lead to more comprehensive information and preparation measures.
Disabled people bring an informed perspective that has the potential to empower and prepare those around them when their knowledge is recognized as expertise. People with disabilities tend to have higher emergency preparedness skillsets than their peers without disabilities.
Information
Information is a powerful tool on individual, communal, and societal levels to prepare for and recover from disasters, however, much of the information is not disability-relevant.
Access to information greatly improves the adaptive capacity of individuals and groups. Social, political, historical, economic, and cultural context is essential in effective communication, as different methods may be better for certain communities.
Providing action items help guide people to safety and messages should be backed by facts so as to not spread misinformation.
Preparation & mitigation
Preparation for an emergency often falls on individuals and communities. Even the CDC recognizes that enrolling in a voluntary registry may not be enough to protect oneself during an emergency, and recommends creating an individual plan.
Some tools to ensure you and those around you are prepared include:
"Why not place disability-centred approaches at the core of disaster planning and ensure that the probable needs of most residents are accommodated?" - Lakshmi Fjord & Lenore Manderson
See the resources at the bottom of the page for more information and preparation tips.
During the event
During the event itself, disability-specific resources are essential:
Accessible evacuation centers that can accommodate assistive devices and service animals, include proper hygiene and food services, and have heightened safety specifically for elderly, youth, women, and LGBTQ+ people
Reliable safety measures, including transportation
Comprehensive and accessible communication that is available in different languages, formats, and education levels
Rehabilitation & recovery
The disparities do not stop at the disaster itself, but continue into the aftermath and long-term impacts, as relief aid often reinforces social inequities. "Most disabled people never return to their homes after a disaster," according to US census data from 2023. In the United States, economic rehabilitation aid is disproportionately given to white people.
People who become disabled following a disaster also need resources on how to adapt moving forward.
Role of data and research
Data has the power to inform policy and create direct change. Considering that disabled populations are under-researched in climate change reports or are not considered as a distinct minority group, there is often not sufficient research on their direct experiences with climate change. Gathering "more comprehensive household-level data" better aids in mitigation and adaptation efforts, such as this 2022 census data that specifically took disability into consideration, and found that disabled people are less likely to return home following climate change evacuation/displacement. The more data collected, the better we can understand the impacts of climate change in the past, present, and future.
Quote from "Disability Climate Justice" Interviews
"Are there certain resources that you think are particularly important for people to have?"
"Yeah, I mean, I think like access, just to the Internet and the news is a really big one because, I think we take a lot of that for granted. Just being able to, like ask information about it, to just Google stuff—a lot of people don't have that, and those are the people that may be affected more by natural disasters and that's, you know, super important too, like, when is the natural disaster going to happen."
- Jordan, one respondent of Disability Climate Justice
Resources
These organizations and resources specifically focus on preparing people with disabilities, caretakers, friends & family, educators, communities and local governments for disabled needs in preparation for, during, and following climate disasters.
Ready to Roll is specifically aimed to physically, intellectually, and emotionally prepare people with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) for a wide variety of natural disasters.
International Deaf Emergency (IDE) is a United States based non-profit that provides empowerment services through "Inclusive Disaster Preparedness"
A checklist by June Isaacson Kailes for planning for power outages for people who use power wheelchairs and other medical devices that depend on electricity.
Sensing Climate is an organization centering disabled voices regarding the climate crisis through their “In Conversation With” events and resource compilation.
The Living Resource Guide is a disability-specific compilation of information, activism, art, podcasts, theory, and news, including information in plain language, Spanish, and French.
"Disability Disaster Access & Resources" is a California program with disaster readiness resources, applications, tips, and a Disability Disaster Strategies Coalition with meetings and recorded topic sessions.
This international alliance created by World Institute on Disability (WID), the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (the Partnership), and ONG Inclusiva , expands disaster relief and resilience resources around the globe.
"Disaster Justice: A Guidebook for People of Color with Disabilities" is a 55-page PDF with information on advocacy, justice, grief, mutual aid, collective action and relationships.
Sustained Ability is an organization providing Disabled leadership in climate action and a Disability & Climate Network that is accepting members.
Disability-specific disaster-preparedness resources by the
U.S. Government:
U.S. Government:
An ADA Guide for Local Governments - An ADA guide by the U.S. Department of Justice on accessible community emergency preparedness and response programs by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The guide discusses planning, notification, evacuation, sheltering, and returning home.
Ready.gov Plan for People with Disabilities - This plan, distributed by Ready.gov which is a disaster and emergency preparedness organization by the U.S. government, is specifically geared towards people.
Emergency Preparedness Guide/Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities - These disaster preparedness resources from the California Government Department of Rehabilitation include tips, links to sign up for emergency alerts, and resources through government partner organizations.
Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities This guide by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is meant to prepare individuals with disabilities in the case of disasters and emergencies.
Sources Used & Suggested Reading
Fourth National Climate Assessment, Chapter 28: Reducing Risks through Adaptation Actions - US Global Change Research Program, 2018. A report analyzing impacts, risks, and adaptation in the United States as of 2018. Includes discussions of land, water, health, Indigenous people, US regions, and international interests.
Factors Associated with the Climate Change Vulnerability and the Adaptive Capacity of People with Disability: A Systematic Review - Cadeyrn J. Gaskin, et al. 2017. A systematic review looking at factors impacting vulnerability and adaptive capacity of PWDs, including personal and environmental factors, activities, and participation.
Avoiding Adaptation Apartheid: Climate Change Adaptation and Human Rights Law - Margaux J. Hall and David C. Weiss, 2012. A law-perspective on human rights issues in climate change, including disparities in adaptation.
How PG&E's Power Shutoffs Sparked an East Bay Disability Rights Campaign - Matthew Green, 2019. A KQED news article detailing the dangers of power outages, even when planned, and how communities can turn to one another for support.
Human Development Report 2007/2008 - UNDP. While this report does not include any specific discussion of disability, it recognizes impacts on vulnerable groups and acknowledges barriers to adaptation, specifically through adaptation apartheid (pg. 166).
Cripping Climate Adaptation: Disability Justice and Climate Change - Climate Atlas of Canada, 2022. A 13-minute video discussing adaptation within the disabled community, specifically focusing on Canada. Includes a link in the description to an audio-descriptive version and transcript.
Inclusive Climate Mitigation - Sustain Our Abilities. A brief explanation of what mitigation means and examples of what it can look like in different scenarios.
A Culture of Neglect: Climate Discourse and Disabled People - Gregor Wolbring, 2009. An academic paper looking at the inclusion/exclusion of disabled people in climate discourse and in environmental, economic, political and social realms.
Understanding Climate and Disability Justice: Mitigating Structural Barriers to the Right to Health - Cynthia Golembeski, et. al., 2023. A blog post exploring conditions, forces, and systems in the United States that impact the right to health within the climate crisis.
Disability, Climate Change, and Environmental Violence: The Politics of Invisibility and the Horizon of Hope - Julia Watts Belser, 2020. A paper looking at disability in environmental justice and disability justice lenses, particularly focusing on violence and hope.
The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment - U.S. Global Change Research Program, 2016. A 9-part summary looking at the relationship between health and lived experiences.
Risk Communications - World Health Organization. This WHO webpage explains the roles of risk communication and community engagement in emergency response solutions.
Disability and climate change: A critical realist model of climate justice - Molly M. King and Maria Gregg, 2022. An academic review written by Molly King, using a critical realist model to seek to understand risk perception, vulnerability, adaptive capacity, and information seeking amongst physically disabled people
Communicating risk in public health emergencies: a WHO guideline for emergency risk communication (ERC) policy and practice - Emergency Preparedness (WPE), Guidelines Review Committee, 2018. This WHO guide for communicating risk during emergencies emphasizes gaps in risk communication that ignore context - "the social, economic, political and cultural factors influencing people’s perception of risk and their risk-reduction behaviours."
Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities - Center for Disease Control (CDC). This guide is meant to prepare individuals with disabilities in the case of disasters and emergencies.
Ready.gov Plan for People with Disabilities - This plan, distributed by Ready.gov which is a disaster and emergency preparedness organization by the U.S. government, is specifically geared towards people.
How to Build Emergency Preparedness Go-Bags and Stay-at-Home Kits - Annie Streit, 2024. This emergency preparedness blog post from United Spinal Association helps people prepare emergency supply kits.
Everything you need to know to create a support network and communication plan - Annie Streit, 2024. This emergency preparedness blog post from United Spinal Association helps people build support networks.
The Rights of People with Disabilities in Disasters & Public Health Emergencies - World Institute on Disability. This webpage provides global and U.S.-specific resources for people to better understand their legal rights in regards to disability and emergencies.
Anthropological Perspectives on Disasters and Disability: An Introduction - Lakshmi Fjord and Lenore Manderson, 2009. This anthropological article uses a disability conceptual framework to analyze ways that social inequalities are perpetuated through disasters.
How climate change disproportionately impacts those with disabilities - UN Environmental Programme, 2019. This short article highlights 3 ways that climate change impacts those with disabilities through 1. limited access to knowledge and resources, 2. compromised health that increases vulnerability, and 3. difficulty in evacuation and migration.
In Heat Response, Include People With Disabilities - Jonas Bull 2023. An opinion article originally published in Público about the risks that people with disabilities face amidst heatwaves in Spain and actions taken (or that should be taken) in Andalusia, Spain, the European Union, and internationally.
Disasters and Social Inequalities: Disasters and Social Inequalities – Megan Reid, 2013. A sociological academic article looking at the relationship between race, class, gender, and disaster recovery.
Majority of disabled people never go home after disasters – Thomas Frank, 2023. This news article discusses a study by the Census Bureau about outcomes among people with disabilities after disasters.
Why Does Disaster Aid Often Favor White People? - Christopher Flavelle, 2021. A New York Times article that explores research about inequitable and racist Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) financial assistance in disaster recovery efforts.
Disability Justice, Climate Change, and Eco-Ableism - Columbia Climate School, 2021. An hour-long YouTube video of a panel of disability justice advocates who explore climate change inequities and impacts, specifically discussing Eco-Ableism.
Disability Employment Statistics - U.S. Department of Labor. This webpage highlights data about employment of persons with a disability in the United States, based on age and race/ethnicity.
Ready to Roll by United Spinal Association is specifically aimed to physically, intellectually, and emotionally prepare people with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) for a wide variety of natural disasters.
International Deaf Emergency (IDE) is a United States based non-profit that provides empowerment services through "Inclusive Disaster Preparedness."
Emergency Power Planning for People Who Use Electricity and Battery Dependent Assistive Technology and Medical Devices – June Isaacson Kailes, 2019. A checklist for planning for power outages for people who use power wheelchairs and other medical devices that depend on electricity.
Sensing Climate is an organization centering disabled voices regarding the climate crisis through their “In Conversation With” events and resource compilation.
Living resource guide by Disability Debrief is a disability-specific compilation of information, activism, art, podcasts, theory, and news, including information in plain language, Spanish, and French.
"Disability Disaster Access & Resources" is a California program with disaster readiness resources, applications, tips, and a Disability Disaster Strategies Coalition with meetings and recorded topic sessions.
Global Alliance for Disaster Resource Acceleration (GADRA), an international alliance created by World Institute on Disability (WID), the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (the Partnership), and ONG Inclusiva , expands disaster relief and resilience resources around the globe.
"Disaster Justice: A Guidebook for People of Color with Disabilities" by Justice Shorter is a 55-page PDF with information on advocacy, justice, grief, mutual aid, collective action and relationships.
Sustained Ability is an organization providing Disabled leadership in climate action and a Disability & Climate Network that is accepting members.
An ADA Guide for Local Governments - An ADA guide by the U.S. Department of Justice on accessible community emergency preparedness and response programs by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The guide discusses planning, notification, evacuation, sheltering, and returning home.
Emergency Preparedness Guide/Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities - These disaster preparedness resources from the California Government Department of Rehabilitation include tips, links to sign up for emergency alerts, and resources through government partner organizations.