By Faridat Salifu
Climate change disproportionately affects people with disabilities, yet experts say most adaptation strategies remain inaccessible, leaving vulnerable populations at higher risk during extreme weather events.
Advocates are calling for practical measures such as inclusive early warning systems, accessible shelters, and adaptive infrastructure to ensure that climate responses protect all communities.
They argue that policy frameworks must go beyond symbolic recognition and embed disability considerations into every stage of climate planning.
Civil society groups point to innovative initiatives in countries outside Africa, where governments and NGOs have piloted disability-friendly flood evacuation systems, heatwave alert programs, and participatory planning models that actively involve people with disabilities in decision-making.
Experts stress that integrating disability into climate adaptation not only improves resilience for vulnerable groups but also strengthens overall community preparedness, creating systems that work for everyone.
Advocates argue that as nations update their climate policies ahead of global forums, such as the UNFCCC conferences, measurable commitments to disability-inclusive adaptation should be treated as a core element of climate justice rather than an afterthought.
