From natural disasters to pandemics to wars, people with disabilities are disproportionally impacted by mass catastrophic emergencies.

Smiling woman in a wheelchair with a child by her side, both wearing casual clothes, in an indoor setting.
Film crew setting up a scene with actors in wheelchairs, using filming equipment like a camera and boom mic in a living room.
A young boy with a backpack holding a door handle, looking back at silhouetted figures in a dimly lit room.

Did you know…

  • 1 of 6 people globally live with a disability. (Source: WHO)

  • Disabled people are 2–4x more likely to die or be injured in disasters. (Source: UN)

  • Disabled people are more likely to be left behind or abandoned during evacuation in disasters and conflicts due to a lack of preparation and planning, as well as inaccessible facilities and services and transportation systems. (Source: UN)

  • When evacuated from a disaster, most people with a disability never return home. (Source: US Census Bureau)

WHAT YOU CAN DO

  • Watch & Share Emergency Plan to extend the conversation beyond limited news coverage immediately after a disaster strikes.

  • Make your own emergency plan. Download an emergency preparedness planning guide created for people with disabilities (credit: June Kailes).

  • Donate to The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, a non-profit dedicated to helping people with disabilities during and after disasters and emergencies in the US and around the world.

  • Visit the World Institute on Disability for more resources for inclusive emergency and disaster planning, preparedness, and response.

  • Contact your elected officials to protect 504 and demand legislation that supports the rights and safety of people with disabilities living in the community.

Color for Disability Rights.

Get Riley’s coloring page courtesy of our friends at @inclusivedinos and support the #50for504 campaign.

Disability and disaster Hotline

If you are a member of the disability community and need help during or after a disaster, The Partnership for Inclusive Strategies has a hotline that can help.

                     Call/Text: +1 (800) 626-4959
Email: hotline@disasterstrategies.org