Disability-inclusive data collection and survey outcomes that reflect the lived experiences of people with disabilities in emergencies or disasters.

Abstract

This article documents a disability-inclusive study conducted in partnership with disabilityled -community-based organizations in survey development and distribution. Information collection focused on the lived experiences of people with disabilities, their perceived impact, and their future expectations. Survey results from 413 individuals with disabilities document the disaster or personal crisis-related experiences and their subsequent impacts. Results from a selection of survey questions were identified for further exploration and their potential impact on disability-inclusive planning, response, and recovery, with a view to identifying potential variables that impact the disproportionate impact of disasters on people with disabilities. Perspectives provided by survey respondents, who were exclusively people with disabilities, overlapped with but did not necessarily align with what is known about emergency and disaster response systems. Study outcomes supported current recommended practices for inclusive planning with people with disabilities. The study supports the premise that accessibility, programmatic inclusion, and effective communication impact the lived experience of people with disabilities in disasters and warrant additional inquiry. Furthermore, the equitable and valued involvement of people with disabilities and disabilityled organizations is essential in disaster research, policy, and practice that does not leave anyone behind. Research can, and should, be conducted in coordination with disability stakeholders and people with disabilities in order to generate useful and implementable policy and practice information. This inclusive approach should take priority over rigorous academic research methods and standards for principled and practical -considerations.