Inclusion of persons with disabilities in climate adaptation - A study of Lillestrøm Municipality

Abstract

Awareness of the need for climate adaptation is increasing as more people and countries are starting to notice the effects of climate change. Simultaneously, certain groups of people within a society are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than others. This study investigates how municipal climate adaptation work includes persons with disabilities, and how persons with disabilities are affected by extreme weather events. The cite of the study is Lillestrøm Municipality. The aim of the study is to identify the key ways in which the needs and rights of persons with disabilities are being included in climate adaptation measures, and to create more knowledge on how climate adaptation can ensure inclusion of the needs and rights of persons with disabilities, and what the main barriers for this is. I have collected data through qualitative, semi-structured interviews with employees in Lillestrøm Municipality and persons with disabilities. In addition, I have carried out a document analysis of three central documents concerning climate adaptation in Lillestrøm Municipality. This study approaches climate adaptation from a just adaptation framework in order to answer to the research questions. The analysis shows that Lillestrøm Municipality are becoming more aware of the diverse vulnerability and needs within the municipality. However, the study concludes with stating that Lillestrøm Municipality still has a lot of work to do in order to be inclusive of persons with disabilities in their climate adaptation work.

Awareness of the need for climate adaptation is increasing as more people and countries are starting to notice the effects of climate change. Simultaneously, certain groups of people within a society are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than others. This study investigates how municipal climate adaptation work includes persons with disabilities, and how persons with disabilities are affected by extreme weather events. The cite of the study is Lillestrøm Municipality. The aim of the study is to identify the key ways in which the needs and rights of persons with disabilities are being included in climate adaptation measures, and to create more knowledge on how climate adaptation can ensure inclusion of the needs and rights of persons with disabilities, and what the main barriers for this is. I have collected data through qualitative, semi-structured interviews with employees in Lillestrøm Municipality and persons with disabilities. In addition, I have carried out a document analysis of three central documents concerning climate adaptation in Lillestrøm Municipality. This study approaches climate adaptation from a just adaptation framework in order to answer to the research questions. The analysis shows that Lillestrøm Municipality are becoming more aware of the diverse vulnerability and needs within the municipality. However, the study concludes with stating that Lillestrøm Municipality still has a lot of work to do in order to be inclusive of persons with disabilities in their climate adaptation work.