UBC Professor calling for “disability inclusive” public policy for future climate disasters

With the flooding serving as a stark reminder of our changing climate, chances are it will lead to climate-related policies being developed. But one nursing professor in B.C. is hoping people with disabilities’ needs are not forgotten in decision making.

Jennifer Baumbusch is a UBC Nursing professor, and she admits, until an emergency hits, “sometimes you don’t realize all the things that you need.” But she says contingency plans need to be created for these vulnerable groups.

“We absolutely need to develop a very public plan that is disability-inclusive and make sure that we’re addressing the needs of the population.”

Baumbusch explains plans need to involve medical care, transportation and funding — to name a few.

“Issues around evacuation and prioritizing disabled people and older people, making sure that they have safe routes out of their communities very quickly, because they may not have access to cars, or other personal vehicles in order to evacuate in a timely manner,” she said.

Baumbusch adds policymakers also need to think about safe housing.

“A lot of people with disabilities are living in poverty and their homes may not be well prepared for climate emergencies. So we need to look more broadly not just at disability or age, but also the impacts of poverty and how that makes people even more vulnerable in these situations.”

Related Articles: 

Engaging with people in the disability community is what will best tackle the needs the greater community needs, Baumbusch says, so she’s calling for those living with disabilities to be at the table when climate-related policies are drawn up, along with the medical professionals who care for them.

This past summer’s heat dome disproportionately affected the elderly, who accounted for many of the fatalities.

A preliminary report from a panel of experts found this summer’s heatwave was the deadliest weather event in this country’s history by a factor of three. Thanks to climate change, it may happen again, sooner than later. The next worst weather incident was a heatwave in Montreal in 2010.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today