Climate change

On January 20, FEMA’s Office of Disability Integration and Coordination announced updates to their Individual Assistance Program that will help them markedly shorten the disaster cycle for people with disabilities and other access and functional needs through greater flexibility and streamlined processes that reflect the people-first intent in their work. With the increased frequency of extreme weather events fueled by climate change, these updates will provide survivors with faster and easier access to resources they need after disasters. FEMA developed these new forms of assistance based on direct feedback from survivors and in response to the threats the nation faces due to our changing climate...

This article presents case studies from different global regions to illustrate how disabilities are often overlooked in responding to climate-related health impacts and disaster planning. Health Affairs draws particular attention to mutual aid networks led by people with disabilities in adapting to climate-related health impacts and makes suggestions policy makers and practitioners can use to integrate disability justice into their work.