Disability and Disaster

Project Summary

Traditional infrastructure, day-to-day life, and emergency procedures are designed for people without disabilities. However, an estimated 20% percent of the world's population experiences physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental health issues--and people's status with respect to disability changes over time.

This project researches how disaster risk reduction and disaster response can be fully inclusive, re-framing traditional perspectives and approaches regarding the role of people with disabilities in disaster-related activities. Society can tackle the challenges identified through partnering with and including people with disabilities in all phases of dealing with disaster.

Key Project Information

Dates: Ongoing

Principal Investigator: University College London

Partners:  Texas A&M University, Council of Europe, Le Centre National d'Information et de Rencontre du Handicap (Luxembourg), University of Sydney, Leonard Cheshire Disability & Inclusive Development Centre.

Location: Global

Funding: Various

Contact: i.kelman@ucl.ac.uk

Publications

Alexander, D. E. (2012). Disability and disaster. In B. Wisner, JC Gaillard, I. Kelman (Eds.), Handbook of Hazards and Disaster Risk Reduction (pp. 413-423). London: Routledge.

Kelman, I. and L.M. Stough (eds.). 2015. Disability and Disaster: Explorations and Exchanges. Palgrave Macmillan, New York.

Resources

Reference list [Word]

Council of Europe booklet - English [PDF]

Council of Europe booklet - French [PDF]

Presentations

Disability & Disaster [PDF]