Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction

Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR)

Dr. Michelle Villeneuve, along with the DiDRR project team, has been engaged in research to develop disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction policy and practice in Australia and Indonesia since 2013. For the past five years, the project team has worked collaboratively with emergency management, health and disability sectors in the two countries to build their capacities for disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction.

As a result, the Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness toolkit is the product of their synergistic efforts to further disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction on a grander, more accessible scale as an online Continuing Professional Development (CPD) resource.

Disability Inclusive Disaster Preparedness in NSW: Enabling Local Community Resilience through Collaboration (2015-2017)

two year project funded under the joint State/Commonwealth Natural Disaster Resilience Program. A two-year project designed to enhance community resilience for emergency preparedness for natural hazard emergencies by developing knowledge and capacity for disability inclusion in disaster risk reduction (DIDRR).

The focus of the project was enabling Community Service Organisations (CSOs), Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs), Local Government and local businesses to work collaboratively with Emergency Managers (EMs) and involve people with disability in emergency preparedness. The project took place in three NSW local government areas: Sutherland, Hawkesbury, and Taree.

Find out more about the project here.

Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Principles

This video was made as part of the Disability Inclusive Disaster Preparedness in NSW Project.

The video provides an overview of Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction principles from the perspective of people with disability, emergency management, and disability support providers.

Local Emergency Management Guidelines for Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction in NSW

The Local Emergency Management Guidelines for Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction are now available. The guidelines are for local Emergency Managers and Disability Support Providers to learn Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR) principles and activities to engage the community in building resilience.

The guidelines include information and tips about DiDRR, and also links to useful resources.

Download accessible PDF

Including People with Disabilities in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Activities in Indonesia (2013-2015)

A two year research project, funded by the Australia Development Research Award Scheme (ADRAS), focused on building capacity in disability inclusive disaster risk reduction in four areas of Indonesia by bringing together the disability community and disaster risk reduction actors and agencies. Find out more about the project here.

Include All, Safety for All

This video was made as part of the Including People with Disabilities in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Activities in Indonesia Project.

Persons with disabilities are exposed to very high risks in the event of a disaster. Hence, the video highlights the importance of ensuring persons with disabilities have relevant Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) knowledge.

Article in The Conversation: 'People with disability should be included as equal partners in disaster planning'

"People with disability are twice to four times more likely to be killed or injured in natural disasters than the general population...

To reduce their vulnerability during natural disasters, people with disability should be included the planning and preparation for disaster risk reduction (DRR)."

Read the full article