People with Disabilities and Disasters

Investigations have collectively established that disasters affect people with disabilities both disproportionately and negatively. In addition, perceived disability status is often associated with stigma, creating a separate and unique barrier across societies and cultures, which can augment vulnerability to disasters. Relevant research is reviewed by academic genesis areas in this chapter, namely; 1) disaster-focused research, 2) mental health, 3) epidemiology and public health, and 4) disability studies. Research emanating from these disciplines reflects different epistemological assumptions about disability as well as varying knowledge about disability as a social and cultural const…