Asia Pacific Accessibility

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Disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction

A woman is walking through a shallow stream, using crutches for support. She is carrying a basket. A young girl, also with a basket, stands to her left, and a white goat stands between them.

Disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR) is a fundamental approach to disaster management that ensures the needs and voices of people with disabilities are at the center of all disaster planning, response, and recovery efforts. People with disabilities face unique barriers to safety.

People with disabilities face unique barriers to safety, including:

 

Inaccessible early warning systems: Warnings may not be available in accessible formats like Braille, sign language, or plain language.

 

Lack of inclusive evacuation plans: Shelters may not be physically accessible, and evacuation transportation might not accommodate wheelchairs or other mobility aids.

 

Loss of essential assistive devices and medication: People may lose critical equipment like wheelchairs, hearing aids, or ventilators during an evacuation, and they may have difficulty accessing replacement items.

Leave no one behind in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.