Disability and disasters

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Natural and manmade disasters tend to have a disproportionate impact on people with disabilities. [1] This issue is recognized and addressed by Article 11 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) which states:

Contents

"States Parties shall take, in accordance with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters." [2]

Individuals with disabilities are often overlooked during disaster as a result of prejudice and, sometimes, the lack of a visible manifestation of a disability. [3] Depending on the disability, an individual with a disability may not be able to recognize that a disaster is occurring or that they are at risk. [4] Other individuals, such as those with disabilities limiting their mobility, may have difficulty in evacuation situations where they need to go down stairs, run, or open doors. [4]

Research and future directions

There is limited research knowledge, but many anecdotal reports, on what happens when disasters impact people with disabilities. [5] [6] Environmental disasters disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, especially persons with disabilities. [7] The World Report of People with Disabilities states that world disability prevalence is climbing;[ citation needed ] however, disaster relief and planning programs are still not tailoring their policies and efforts to assist this vulnerable population. [8] Individuals with disabilities may be greatly affected by natural disasters and disregarded during disaster planning. [5] [9] Those with physical disabilities can be at risk when evacuating if assistance is not available. Individuals with cognitive impairments may struggle with understanding instructions that must be followed in the event a disaster occurs. [9] [10] [11] Those who are blind, hearing impaired, etc. may have difficulty communicating during the emergency. People with sensory, mobility, and physical challenges are often disadvantaged during disaster evacuation and relief; however, those with mental, cognitive, or perceptual impairments are often even more overlooked due to the less obvious nature of their impairment. [8] When a person with a disability's support network is disrupted by a disaster, they may require additional specific forms of shelter and evacuation. [8] Disaster risk reduction is focused on those without impairment in mental and emotional stability, stamina and cognition, mobility, sight, hearing, and speech. [8] Similarly, disaster risk reduction assumes that people with disabilities are dependent on a caregiver, disregarding instances in which the person may not have help readily available. [8] Disaster relief and risk policies are tailored towards able-bodied people, [8] despite the fact that 15% of the world's population is disabled, with prevalence continuing to increase. [7] Prevalence is likely increasing because of a global increase in chronic health conditions, on top of the overall aging of the world population. [7] In children specifically, 10% of this already vulnerable population is estimated to have a disability. [12] Despite this high percentage, children with disabilities are often excluded from disaster risk reduction initiatives, rendering them more susceptible to educational, physical, and psychological vulnerabilities. [12] Children with disabilities require additional physical and educational support, which risk reduction policies often fail to consider. [12] Especially in the poorest countries around the world, people with disabilities are less likely to receive the same attention as more privileged individuals during these circumstances. [12] All of these factors can increase the degree of variation of risk in disaster situations with disabled individuals. [13]

Discrimination

Disasters exacerbate the discrimation faced by individuals with disabilities. [14] [ page needed ] Some research studies have found discrimination against individuals with disabilities during all phases of the disaster cycle. [5] The most common limitation is that people cannot physically access buildings or transport, as well as access disaster-related services. [5] The exclusion of these individuals is caused in part by the lack of disability-related training provided to emergency planners and disaster relief personnel. [15] All persons with disabilities experience an exponential disadvantage regarding environmental disaster, and those with intellectual disabilities are just as affected as those with physical impairments, even though they are often considered less. [12] People with such invisible illnesses do not receive the cognitive support that they need to cope with disaster until their needs become visibly apparent to others, which often never ends up happening. [12] Those with cognitive or intellectual disabilities tend to display an unawareness of social and practical risk, putting them at a higher chance of experiencing negative outcomes from a catastrophe. [12] When visual assessments in disaster shelters are conducted, disaster workers are often unable to identify and respond to their needs because they simply cannot tell that they require additional cognitive support. [12] Not only do policies regarding disaster discriminate against people with disabilities, but catastrophic events within the environment also tend to increase disability incidence and exacerbate medical conditions. [12]

Disability in disaster management planning

Disability as a factor in disaster planning is an issue that is receiving attention from some disaster management jurisdictions while various disability rights organizations are active in lobbying and education efforts for authorities to include the needs of disabled members of the public in their planning. [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] The CRPD has influenced initiatives like The Sphere Project to include more disability related guidelines and recognise the different approaches required for different disabilities. [21] In rural and lower income countries and areas, there is a gap between those who need financial and human resources and those who get it, thus those with disability do not receive the services that they need. [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cerebral palsy</span> Group of movement disorders that appear in early childhood

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of movement disorders that appear in early childhood. Signs and symptoms vary among people and over time, but include poor coordination, stiff muscles, weak muscles, and tremors. There may be problems with sensation, vision, hearing, and speaking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disability</span> Impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions

Disability is the experience of any condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities or have equitable access within a given society. Disabilities may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, sensory, or a combination of multiple factors. Disabilities can be present from birth or can be acquired during a person's lifetime. Historically, disabilities have only been recognized based on a narrow set of criteria—however, disabilities are not binary and can be present in unique characteristics depending on the individual. A disability may be readily visible, or invisible in nature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natural disaster</span> Major adverse event resulting from natural processes of the Earth

A natural disaster is the highly harmful impact on a society or community following a natural hazard event. Some examples of natural hazard events include: flooding, drought, earthquake, tropical cyclone, lightning, tsunami, volcanic activity, wildfire. A natural disaster can cause loss of life or damage property, and typically leaves economic damage in its wake. The severity of the damage depends on the affected population's resilience and on the infrastructure available. Scholars have been saying that the term natural disaster is unsuitable and should be abandoned. Instead, the simpler term disaster could be used, while also specifying the category of hazard. A disaster is a result of a natural or human-made hazard impacting a vulnerable community. It is the combination of the hazard along with exposure of a vulnerable society that results in a disaster.

Delirium is a specific state of acute confusion attributable to the direct physiological consequence of a medical condition, effects of a psychoactive substance, or multiple causes, which usually develops over the course of hours to days. As a syndrome, delirium presents with disturbances in attention, awareness, and higher-order cognition. People with delirium may experience other neuropsychiatric disturbances, including changes in psychomotor activity, disrupted sleep-wake cycle, emotional disturbances, disturbances of consciousness, or, altered state of consciousness, as well as perceptual disturbances, although these features are not required for diagnosis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anger management</span> Therapy for anger prevention and control

Anger management is a psycho-therapeutic program for anger prevention and control. It has been described as deploying anger successfully. Anger is frequently a result of frustration, or of feeling blocked or thwarted from something the subject feels is important. Anger can also be a defensive response to underlying fear or feelings of vulnerability or powerlessness. Anger management programs consider anger to be a motivation caused by an identifiable reason which can be logically analyzed and addressed.

Developmental disability is a diverse group of chronic conditions, comprising mental or physical impairments that arise before adulthood. Developmental disabilities cause individuals living with them many difficulties in certain areas of life, especially in "language, mobility, learning, self-help, and independent living". Developmental disabilities can be detected early on and persist throughout an individual's lifespan. Developmental disability that affects all areas of a child's development is sometimes referred to as global developmental delay.

In its broadest sense, social vulnerability is one dimension of vulnerability to multiple stressors and shocks, including abuse, social exclusion and natural hazards. Social vulnerability refers to the inability of people, organizations, and societies to withstand adverse impacts from multiple stressors to which they are exposed. These impacts are due in part to characteristics inherent in social interactions, institutions, and systems of cultural values.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disaster risk reduction</span> Preventing new and reducing existing disaster risk factors

Disaster risk reduction (DRR) is a systematic approach to identifying, assessing and reducing the risks of disaster. It aims to promote sustainable development by increasing the resilience of communities to any disasters they might face. DRR is normally used as policies intended to "define goals and objectives across different timescales and with concrete targets, indicators and time frames." The concept is also called disaster risk management (DRM).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intellectual disability</span> Generalized neurodevelopmental disorder

Intellectual disability (ID), also known as general learning disability in the United Kingdom and formerly mental retardation, is a generalized neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significantly impaired intellectual and adaptive functioning. It is defined by an IQ under 70, in addition to deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors that affect everyday, general living. Intellectual functions are defined under DSM-V as reasoning, problem‑solving, planning, abstract thinking, judgment, academic learning, and learning from instruction and experience, and practical understanding confirmed by both clinical assessment and standardized tests. Adaptive behavior is defined in terms of conceptual, social, and practical skills involving tasks performed by people in their everyday lives.

Research published from 2000 to 2020 illustrates increased prevalence rates of sexual violence against people with intellectual disabilities, compared to the general population.:61 The World Health Organization (WHO) funded a study which concluded that 15% of the adult population worldwide in 2012 had a disability, putting them at increased risk of physical, sexual, and intimate partner violence. Of that 15%, 6.1% or an estimated 7,008,716,704 adults worldwide had intellectual disability with 5.5% experiencing sexual violence. In another 2012 report, the WHO found that worldwide, children with intellectual disabilities experienced a 4.6 times greater risk of sexual violence than those without disability.

Disability abuse is when a person with a disability is abused physically, financially, sexually and/or psychologically due to the person having a disability. This type of abuse has also been considered a hate crime. The abuse is not limited to those who are visibly disabled or physically deformed, but also includes those with learning, intellectual and developmental disabilities or mental illnesses.

Disability hate crime is a form of hate crime involving the use of violence against people with disabilities. This is not only violence in a physical sense, but also includes other hostile acts, such as the repeated blocking of disabled access and verbal abuse. These hate crimes are associated with prejudice against a disability, or a denial of equal rights for disabled people. It is viewed politically as an extreme form of ableism, or disablism. This phenomenon can take many forms, from verbal abuse and intimidatory behaviour to vandalism, assault, or even murder. Although data are limited studies appear to show that verbal abuse and harassment are the most common. Disability hate crimes may take the form of one-off incidents, or may represent systematic abuse which continues over periods of weeks, months, or even years. Disabled parking places, wheelchair access areas and other facilities are frequently a locus for disability hate. Instead of seeing access areas as essential for equity, they are seen instead as 'special treatment', unjustifiable by status, and so a 'reason' for acting aggressively. Denial of access thus demonstrates a prejudice against equal rights for disabled people; such actions risk actual bodily harm as well as limiting personal freedom.

Ableism is discrimination and social prejudice against people with physical or mental disabilities. Ableism characterizes people as they are defined by their disabilities and it also classifies disabled people as people who are inferior to non-disabled people. On this basis, people are assigned or denied certain perceived abilities, skills, or character orientations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geriatric trauma</span> Medical condition

Geriatric trauma refers to a traumatic injury that occurs to an elderly person. People around the world are living longer than ever. In developed and underdeveloped countries, the pace of population aging is increasing. By 2050, the world's population aged 60 years and older is expected to total 2 billion, up from 900 million in 2015. While this trend presents opportunities for productivity and additional experiences, it also comes with its own set of challenges for health systems. More so than ever, elderly populations are presenting to the Emergency Department following traumatic injury. In addition, given advances in the management of chronic illnesses, more elderly adults are living active lifestyles and are at risk of traumatic injury. In the United States, this population accounts for 14% of all traumatic injuries, of which a majority are just mainly from falls.

Vulnerability refers to "the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally." The understanding of social and environmental vulnerability, as a methodological approach, involves the analysis of the risks and assets of disadvantaged groups, such as the elderly. The approach of vulnerability in itself brings great expectations of social policy and gerontological planning. Types of vulnerability include social, cognitive, environmental, emotional or military.

A vulnerable adult is an adult who, due to mental or bodily disability, cannot take care of themselves without help from others.

Women with disabilities have the same health issues as any other women, such as the need for routine breast and cervical cancer screening. However, women with impaired mobility are often not given basic tests, such as weight monitoring, due to the lack of accessible equipment.

ISO 22395:2018Security and resilience -- Community resilience -- Guidelines for supporting vulnerable persons in an emergency, is an international standard developed by ISO/TC 292 Security and resilience and published by the International Organization for Standardization in October 2018. This document is a voluntary guidance standard for supporting vulnerable persons in an emergency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with disabilities</span>

Individuals with disabilities are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 and have higher mortality rates compared to those without disabilities. This is particularly true for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, those residing in care facilities, and women with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities face heightened risks of mental health issues related to the pandemic, such as increased feelings of loneliness and isolation. They were also more likely to face domestic violence and abuse during the pandemic. People with disabilities are more likely to experience unemployment as a result of the pandemic and may require changes to the types of accommodations they require for work. Children with disabilities experience complications in their educational programming. Remote learning poses a host of challenges for children with disabilities, including disruptions to physical and occupational therapies and access to assistive technologies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disability and climate change</span>

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) are connected through their common goals of addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development through policies and international cooperation.

References

  1. ↑ "Disability Inclusion in Hospital Disaster Risk Management (INGRID-H ) - PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization". www.paho.org. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  2. ↑ "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities". .ohchr.org. 2007-03-30. Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  3. ↑ King, Julie; Edwards, Nicole; Watling, Hanna; Hair, Sara (2019-03-01). "Barriers to disability-inclusive disaster management in the Solomon Islands: Perspectives of people with disability". International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 34: 459–466. Bibcode:2019IJDRR..34..459K. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2018.12.017. ISSN   2212-4209. S2CID   150019098.
  4. 1 2 Alexander, David (2015), Kelman, Ilan; Stough, Laura M. (eds.), "Disability and Disaster: An Overview", Disability and Disaster: Explorations and Exchanges, London: Palgrave Macmillan UK, pp. 15–29, doi:10.1057/9781137486004_2, ISBN   978-1-137-48600-4 , retrieved 2022-05-15
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Children With Disabilities in the Context of Disaster: A Social Vulnerability Perspective" (PDF). Child Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-05-12. Retrieved 2013-01-31.
  6. ↑ "Disaster Case Management and Individuals With Disabilities" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-01-31.
  7. 1 2 3 Stough, Laura M. (2015). "World Report on Disability, Intellectual Disabilities, and Disaster Preparedness: Costa Rica as a Case Example". Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities. 12 (2): 138–146. doi:10.1111/jppi.12116. hdl: 1969.1/154421 . ISSN   1741-1130.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lunga, Wilfred; Bongo, Paradzayi Pathias; Niekerk, Dewald van; Musarurwa, Charles (2019). "Disability and disaster risk reduction as an incongruent matrix: Lessons from rural Zimbabwe". Jàmbá Journal of Disaster Risk Studies. 11 (1): 648. doi:10.4102/jamba.v11i1.648. PMC   6489144 . PMID   31049163. ProQuest   2210872591.
  9. 1 2 Stough, Laura M. (2009). "Chapter 15: The Effects of Disaster on the Mental Health of Individuals with Disabilities". In Neria, Yuval; Galea, Sandro; Norris, Fran H. (eds.). Mental Health and Disasters . Cambridge University Press. pp.  264–276. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511730030.015. hdl:1969.1/153544. ISBN   9780511730030.
  10. ↑ McAdams, Ducy, E.; Stough, L. M.; Clark, M. C. (2012). "Choosing Agency in the Midst of Vulnerability: Using Critical Disability Theory to Examine a Disaster Narrative". In Cannella, Gaile Sloan; Steinberg, Shirley R. (eds.). Critical Qualitative Research Reader. Peter Lang Publishing. ISBN   978-1-4331-0688-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ↑ McAdams Ducy, Elizabeth; Stough, Laura M. (2011-07-29). "Exploring the support role of special education teachers after Hurricane Ike: Children with significant disabilities". Journal of Family Issues. 32 (10): 1325–1345. doi:10.1177/0192513X11412494. S2CID   146605276.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Ronoh, Steve; Gaillard, J. C.; Marlowe, Jay (March 2015). "Children with Disabilities and Disaster Risk Reduction: A Review". International Journal of Disaster Risk Science. 6: 38–48. doi: 10.1007/s13753-015-0042-9 . S2CID   144813316. ProQuest   1661950145.
  13. ↑ "Effective Emergency Management: Making Improvements for Communities and People with Disabilities: National Council on Disability". Ncd.gov. Archived from the original on 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
  14. ↑ Alexander, David; Gaillard, JC; Wisner, Ben (2014), "Disability and Disaster", Handbook of Hazards and Disaster Risk Reduction, Routledge, doi:10.4324/9780203844236.ch34, ISBN   978-0-203-84423-6 , retrieved 2022-04-11
  15. ↑ "UN Enable - Disability, natural disasters and emergency situations". Un.org. 2011-05-31. Archived from the original on 2013-02-02. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
  16. ↑ "Project REDD at Texas A&M University". Project REDD at Texas A&M University.
  17. ↑ "Disability sensitivity in disaster management". Practical Action. Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  18. ↑ "Mainstreaming Disability into Disaster Risk Reduction: A Training Manual" (PDF). Handicap International. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-08. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  19. ↑ "Disaster Management". Napas.org. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  20. ↑ Jagger, Jessica Carol. "ProQuest Document View - Disaster Management Policy and People with Disabilities in the United States and Jamaica". Gradworks.umi.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  21. ↑ Stough, Laura M. (2015-06-01). "World Report on Disability, Intellectual Disabilities, and Disaster Preparedness: Costa Rica as a Case Example". Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities. 12 (2): 138–146. doi:10.1111/jppi.12116. hdl: 1969.1/154421 . ISSN   1741-1130.
  22. ↑ Landry, Michel D.; Sheppard, Phillip S.; Leung, Kit; Retis, Chiara; Salvador, Edwin C.; Raman, Sudha R. (1 November 2016). "The 2015 Nepal Earthquake(s): Lessons Learned From the Disability and Rehabilitation Sector's Preparation for, and Response to, Natural Disasters". Physical Therapy. 96 (11): 1714–1723. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20150677 . PMID   27277496.
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