People with Disabilities are Not Innately Vulnerable (Part 3)

But when they are left out of the adaptation planning process — the consequences can be disastrous

Images from Hurricane Katrina, Superstorm Sandy and countless earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides, snow storms, floods, heatwaves and other extreme weather events on U.S. soil document heartbreaking images. 

They show people who use assistive mobility devices stranded from evacuation shelters and those dependent on oxygen, medicine, cooling and other treatments by electric-powered machines, which are rendered useless by long-term loss of power.

“With greater vulnerability during storms, floods and

extreme heat; susceptibility to invasive disease; and the

complex disability-related challenges of relocation and

forced migration (i.e. finding new housing or support

networks); climate disruptions are harder for these populations

at virtually all levels compared to those without

disabilities” wrote World Institute on Disability experts

Marsha Saxton, director of research and training, and

Alex Ghenis, a policy and research specialist, in an article

published by Environmental Health News.