Emergencies and disability

Using a disability conceptual framework to anthropologically review disasters, this article emphasises the needs of those with fewest resources and highlights the benefit of the inclusion of disabled people in disaster preparedness, response and recovery plans. This article is useful to people interested in disability and disasters
Human Organization, Vol 68, No 1

This chapter explores why people with disabilities are often ignored or excluded at all levels of disaster preparedness, mitigation and intervention, and the mechanisms now in place to redress this, including the recent UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and what they are doing to make themselves more resilient to disasters

This presentation presents the good practices, experiences, context and ways forward for disability and public shelter in emergencies and emphasises the need for inclusive emergency planning. This presentation is useful for people interested in disability and public shelter in emergencies
UCL Research Challenges 2009

This article provides general information about why people with disabilities are vulnerable and highlights Handicap International’s emergency responses including details about Disability Focal Points (DFP). It concludes by making inclusive recommendations to other emergency actors. This article is useful for people interested in disability in emergency situations
VOICE out loud, Issue 5

"This paper is to inform and raise awareness about the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and explain the significance of the UN Convention to the work of Emergency and humanitarian assistance. It includes points of recommendation from the IDDC Task Group on Conflict and Emergencies on how the needs of persons with disabilities and their families can best be addressed in emergency and humanitarian crisis situations"
"This paper is intended for use by non-governmental organisations active in the field of humanitarian aid, including emergency aid, rehabilitation, disaster preparedness and conflict prevention. It is also intended to be a useful summary guide for policy makers and donors active in the field of emergencies and humanitarian assistance to include disability issues"

This technical brief provides useful information about waste disposal in emergencies for people with physical disabilities. Latrine and bathing designs and modifications are given based upon best practice from the field. This document is useful for people interested in excreta disposal for physically vulnerable people in emergencies

The ILO's InFocus programme on crisis response and reconstruction has focused particularly on disabled ex-combatants in a number of countries including Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Namibia. Projects in these countries have assisted governments, agencies, local NGOs and organisations of persons with disabilities to provide vocational skills training, mostly in mainstream vocational training centres but also in special rehabilitation centres

This document is a reference guide for disaster relief planners and service providers. It is intended to outline the legal standards relating to equal access for disabled people. Specifically, this resource describes access requirements that relate to mass care, housing and human services. A key feature of this resource, is a glossary and summary of relevant US legislation and law. This would be useful for anyone interested in disability and disaster situations

Adapted from the 'Disability Task Force', this checklist provides useful guidelines about general protection and inclusion principles for people with disabilites or injuries in emergency situations. The following topics are highlighted: health, food and nutrition; water, sanitation and hygiene; protection; psychosocial support; reconstruction and shelter; livelihoods; and education. This checklist would be useful for practitioners interested in the protection and inclusion of people with disabilities in emergency situations

Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere, and sometimes without warning. The American Red Cross developed this manual for disabled people to prepare them for disaster or emergency situations. It aims to elevate the self-confidence of disabled people based on knowledge, preparation, and practice, giving them the best chances of recovery from a disaster.
The booklet comes with personal assessments and a checklist for how to prepare for disaster. Although the booklet has been prepared for North America, it mentions aspects that will be valuable in most other countries and regions

This resource provides a summary of the guidelines for mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings. It details a general introduction, a matrix of minimum responses in the midst of emergencies, and eleven checklists for key actions of emergency response. The checklists cover the following areas: coordination; monitoring and evaluation; protection and human rights; community mobilization and support; health services; education; dissemination of information; food security and nutrition; shelter and site planning; water and sanitation. This resource is useful for humanitarian agencies and practitioners

The guide outlines useful principles for an inclusive emergency education approach, provides advice for strategies and actions at key stages of an emergency, offers advice on dealing with challenges, and highlights what support emergencies' education staff should expect from their organisations. It is aimed at anyone working to provide, manage or support education services in emergencies, and complements the INEE Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies, Chronic Crises and Early Reconstruction

This research report, produced for the UK Department for International Development's disability knowledge and research programme (Disability KaR), investigates the extent to which disabled people are included in emergency programmes following the tsunami in Asia. It also assesses the impact of networking and the role of resources in post-tsunami contexts in Sri Lanka, with contributions from India and Indonesia.
The research methodology was based on a wide range of principles and approaches, and underpinned by a social model approach. Particular tools were developed by field workers. Principles from emancipatory research were used, such as ensuring that the research fully involved and promoted the rights of disabled persons, while remaining flexible and sensitive as required in emergency and conflict situations

This paper explores the connection between disability and natural disasters. It also investigates the regional and global response to the Asian tsunami in 2004 and hurricane Katrina, in the USA, in 2005. It would be useful for anyone with an interest in the inclusion of disabled people, and disabled peoples organisations in disaster recovery and preparedness. It is particularly relevant to article eleven of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities concerning situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies