Climate Change, Disability, and Eco-Ableism

Impacts of climate change are not felt equally.

Bigger wildfires, longer droughts, and more intense storms and floods can be catastrophic for disabled people. They are less likely to be evacuated safely, have higher health risks and are less likely to have insurance to rebuild our homes.

But despite this growing recognition that disabled people will be hardest hit by climate change they have been left out of climate change discussions. Now there are plans for climate action that can make life difficult for disabled people.

This is a result of ‘eco-ableism’ – a failure by non-disabled environmental activists to recognize that many of the climate actions they’re promoting make life difficult for disabled people.

To celebrate UN Earth Day Inclusion Scotland are hosting a panel discussion and Q&A to discuss the impacts of climate change for disabled people, their experiences of Eco-Ableism and what their priorities for climate action are ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP 26, hosted by Glasgow later this year.

Sign up now for the chance to ask your questions!

Speakers

Susie Fitton – Inclusion Scotland Senior Policy Officer

Other speaker details to be confirmed

Agenda

11:00am: Welcome and introductions – Susie Fitton

11:10am: Panel discussion

11:40am Q&A – The panel will have a chance to answer your pre-submitted questions.

12:00pm Close – Susie Fitton

Contact

If you have any questions about the event please contact [email protected] or phone 07910 373778.

Support and Access Requirements

The organisers have booked a palantypist, electronic notetakers, British Sign Language Interpreters and personal assistants to make sure this event is accessible. If you have any other access or support needs please tell them when you register. If you require communication support such as a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter or electronic notetaker or palantypist, please let them know by 10am on Monday 12th April. If you book a place after this date, they will do everything they can to ensure that BSL is available but unfortunately, they cannot guarantee it. Their policy is to cancel support which is not required. This is not just a question of cost. There is a huge demand for the service in Scotland and not enough BSL interpreters to meet that demand. If they hire them and do not use them, they may be depriving someone else who needs it urgently.