By Abbas Nazil
People living with disabilities are facing heightened risks from climate change impacts due to systemic inequalities, limited access to services, and gaps in policy planning, according to new research from Dalhousie University.
The study highlights how extreme weather events such as heatwaves, hurricanes, and flooding disproportionately affect individuals with disabilities, often worsening pre-existing social and economic challenges.
Leading the research, Sarah Norris, a PhD candidate in Health, said climate change does not create vulnerability on its own but intensifies existing inequalities embedded within social and institutional systems.
She explained that people with disabilities are more likely to experience harm during disasters due to factors such as poverty, social isolation, and disruptions in essential services, which can limit their ability to respond effectively to emergencies.
Norris drew from both her academic work and personal experience, noting that she has lived through severe climate events including the 2021 heat dome in British Columbia and flooding in Halifax in 2023, which caused significant damage to her home.
Her research focuses on identifying structural barriers that make it more difficult for vulnerable communities to cope with climate change, particularly examining whether government policies adequately address the needs of persons with disabilities.
She said many existing policies refer broadly to “vulnerable populations” without addressing the root causes of vulnerability, which are often tied to systemic exclusion and lack of inclusive planning.
According to Norris, this framing risks overlooking the role of institutions in creating and maintaining these inequalities, thereby limiting the effectiveness of climate adaptation strategies.
Experiences shared by individuals such as Nakita Sekhon further illustrate these challenges, particularly in situations where public infrastructure fails to accommodate people with disabilities during extreme weather conditions.
Sekhon recounted being stranded during a snowstorm after accessible transport services were abruptly shut down, highlighting the lack of reliable systems designed to support disabled individuals in emergencies.
She expressed concern that infrastructure planning has not adequately considered long-term climate impacts, leaving essential services unprepared for both heat and severe winter conditions.
While some individuals have engaged in government consultations on disability inclusion, Sekhon noted growing frustration among participants who feel their input often does not translate into meaningful policy changes.
Despite these challenges, Norris identified emerging policy efforts that signal gradual progress toward more inclusive climate governance.
In Nova Scotia, initiatives such as the Human Rights Remedy programme aim to reform disability support systems through legally binding measures addressing discrimination and accessibility gaps.
Additionally, the Climate Café programme, supported by the Healthy Minds Cooperative, provides safe spaces for individuals to discuss the emotional and social impacts of climate change, fostering community resilience and dialogue.
Norris emphasised that such initiatives demonstrate the importance of integrating lived experiences into policy design, ensuring that climate solutions are inclusive and responsive to diverse needs.
Beyond her doctoral research, she contributes to broader efforts through the Disability Inclusive Climate Action research team led by Sébastien Jodoin at McGill University, which promotes intersectional approaches to climate governance.
These efforts include collaboration with Indigenous and marginalised communities to develop inclusive adaptation strategies and highlight successful examples of community-led climate action.
Norris stressed that people with disabilities should not be viewed solely through the lens of vulnerability but recognised for their resilience, knowledge, and capacity to contribute to climate solutions.
She argued that inclusive policies must shift from treating disability as a limitation to acknowledging the insights and leadership that individuals with disabilities bring in navigating complex challenges.
The findings reinforce the need for governments to move beyond generalised policy language and adopt targeted, inclusive frameworks that address structural inequalities, ensuring that climate action does not leave vulnerable populations behind.
