Disability, Climate Change and Sustainable Development

The aim of this project is to develop an open education resource that explores the relationship between disability and development within the framework of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Climate Change. The Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) were heavily criticized by the disability sector as they did not have a focus on one of the most vulnerable groups in development, people with disabilities. This experience led to a heightened awareness of disability in development and an eagerness of the disability sector to participate more actively in the development of the sustainable development goals. This project aimed to bring together experts at UCT in climate change and sustainable development to inform disability practitioners from different sectors of the possible impacts of climate changes on people with disabilities so that there can be informed debate and advocacy with regard to disability inclusion within the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Climate change has the greatest impact on the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, of which a significant proportion (20%) of whom are people with disabilities. The topic of Disability and Climate Change is of paramount importance as it is about food, water and shelter security for people with disabilities and their families. It is about their right to access health, education and livelihood opportunities in the changing environments. The level of vulnerability varies widely, but generally higher among poorer people. If a person’s exposure to a hazard is high, their vulnerability may be low if they have high capacity to cope (and vice versa). Although poverty and vulnerability do not describe the same condition, poor people often suffer from a higher risk of being affected more severely from any kind of hazard or disturbance.

Therefore, adaptation to climate change is an essential component of sustainable development. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to address the needs and challenges faced by the world’s poorest and marginalised populations such as people with disabilities. Adaptation to climate change requires actions in many sectors of society. Currently climate change concerns are often not integrated in the decision-making in different sectors. Thus, this OER project is a platform to raise such awareness particularly around integrating vulnerability to climate change, adaptation and development. In addition, the sustainable development goals are a tool to facilitate the process of combating and eradicating the daily struggles experienced by people with disabilities. The failure to include and integrate these vulnerable groups in all developmental activities will also mean failure to achieve the SDGs.