Disaster Preparedness, Capabilities, and Support Needs: The Lived Experience Perspectives of People with Disability

Kuo-yi Jade Chang, Michelle Villeneuve (), Tonia Crawford, Ivy Yen, Dale Dominey-Howes and Gwynnyth Llewellyn
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Kuo-yi Jade Chang: Centre for Disability Research and Policy, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
Michelle Villeneuve: Centre for Disability Research and Policy, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
Tonia Crawford: Centre for Disability Research and Policy, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
Ivy Yen: Centre for Disability Research and Policy, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
Dale Dominey-Howes: Asia-Pacific Natural Hazards and Disaster Risk Research Group, School of Geosciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
Gwynnyth Llewellyn: Centre for Disability Research and Policy, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia

Disabilities, 2023, vol. 3, issue 4, 1-18

Abstract: People with disability face heightened vulnerability during disasters due to functional limitations and inadequate support. This study explores disaster preparedness, capabilities, and support needs among Australians with disability. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, aligned with the Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) framework: a co-designed and tested framework that helps people with disability assess their capabilities, identify their needs, communicate with others, and plan for different emergency scenarios. Data collection involved self-administered online surveys and interviewer-administered telephone surveys through convenience sampling. Descriptive statistics and regression modelling were employed for data analysis. Of the 138 respondents, most were female (68.1%) and aged 60–69 (23.9%). While 60.3% had emergency plans, motivators included enhancing survival chances (36.7%) and past disaster experiences (22.7%). Barriers included uncertainty about preparation (22.0%) and difficulty obtaining information (11.3%). Those perceiving bushfire risk were more likely to have a plan ( p = 0.004), while individuals living alone were less likely ( p = 0.019). Common preparedness actions included safely storing important documents (57.5%), but fewer had backup plans for support workers (9.2%) or home generators (9.7%). Respondents with disaster experience highlighted diverse support needs, encompassing health, emotional well-being, and practical assistance. Inclusive disaster risk reduction should involve individuals with disability in assessing their capabilities and support requirements. This study underscores the necessity of tailored emergency preparedness measures to safeguard the well-being of this demographic.

Keywords: disability; disaster planning; vulnerable populations; emergency preparedness; support needs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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