Emerging Voices in Natural Hazards Research - Chapter 13: People with disabilities: Becoming agents of change in Disaster Risk Reduction

People with Disabilities (PWDs) are four times more likely to die when a disaster strikes than those without disabilities, and six per cent of all disaster-affected people acquire new disabilities from the event (UNESCAP, 2014). In recognition of the increased risk of PWDs to natural hazards, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) 2015–2030 mandates stronger inclusion of PWDs in all stages of DRR processes. To achieve this, the chapter explores the process of doing Disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR) in South East Asia from the perspective of two Deaf Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) practitioners working in partnership with an international team. First, we outline the lead authors' journey of becoming DiDRR practitioners, followed by the challenges they encountered whilst working to improve DiDRR in the Philippines. The remainder of the chapter focuses on the key factors that heighten the vulnerability of PWDs to risk and presents tested solutions on how to empower PWDs and make DiDRR a lived reality.