Page 20 - Mainstreamer e-Magazine Volume 5, April 2024

HERE AND THERE: POLICY TOUCHPOINT

Consequently, PWDs have a 10 to 20-year shorter The Christian Blind Mission (CBM) organisation,
life expectancy than non-disabled people, as headquartered in Germany with offices worldwide,
reported by hi.org. Davide Ziveri, an environmental including Vietnam, follows a meaningful and
health expert at HI, affirmed that climate injustice practical principle: “nothing about us without
reflects health inequalities, disproportionately us.” This mantra, pertinent at all times within
affecting marginalised groups based on age, the disability sector, emphasises the disabled
gender, or disability. community’s ability to articulate their needs and
Additionally, climate change endangers participate in decision-making, thus evaluating the
assistive devices that PWDs rely on, which may impacts of policies. By incorporating these voices,
be damaged or lost due to natural disasters. Since society can enhance the visibility of PWDs and
most supportive devices for PWDs are not widely expand opportunities to uphold their rights.
commercialised, finding replacements quickly is Rather than relying on support from society,
challenging. PWDs rely heavily on these devices disabled communities should actively seek
for daily life and working, making their protection solutions to protect themselves from the adverse
critical to their livelihoods and safety. impacts of climate change and acquire the

The question at hand is how to help PWDs to essential knowledge and skills to respond to
respond to climate change in an inclusive and natural disasters and mitigate risks. Finally, to
comprehensive manner. Firstly, it is imperative to ensure that no one is left behind, relevant policies
include the voices of PWDs in decision-making must include all beneficiaries, particularly those
processes, as well as to carefully assess the impact who are most vulnerable to climate change, such
of climate change on the disability community. as PWDs.
PWDs must be provided the necessary means to The author is a specialist in special education. With five
actively and effectively respond to climate change. years of working experience in inclusive education, she
This includes designing information about climate has supported many children with disabilities as well as
teachers directly involved in inclusive education activities.
change in formats that are accessible to people Thu has a great passion in creating intuitive materials for
with different types of impairments, ensuring that children with disabilities particularly those affected with
everyone is informed and prepared. autism spectrum disorder. She is highly interested in issue
surrounding policies on disabilities as well as ways to
Additionally, the disability community should promote the right of persons with disabilities to strengthen
adopt a proactive approach to adapting to climate and deepen the integration of PWDs in the society.
change, rather than relying on external assistance.
PWDs understand their own needs better than
anyone else; therefore, overcoming psychological
barriers to express their needs is crucial. This
enables society to develop suitable solutions
to ensure that no one is left behind as we all
progress to respond to climate change—a long and
challenging journey.
In conclusion, climate change is an ongoing
global phenomenon. While many countries are
actively responding to it, the disabled population
remains overlooked. Many disabled individuals
do not understand climate change and how to
adapt to its effects. This oversight largely results
from the exclusion of PWDs from decision-
making processes, leading to inadequate resource
allocation for broader and more significant targets.
There is a gap between the disabled communities
in urban and rural areas, complicating their
inclusion in climate initiatives.

19 April 2024 | Vol. 5