Nothing about us without us: Implementing climate change adaptation for disability in the Montréal metropolitan area

The goal of this project is to promote the implementation of disability-inclusive climate change adaptation in the Montréal metropolitan area. It also aims to understand the influence of social, institutional, physical and economic barriers on the climate vulnerability of people with disabilities.

Project details

Scientific program

Programmation 2020-2028

Theme(s) and priority(s)

Social and Health Challenges - Extreme Events - Adaptation of Living Environments - Climate Governance

Start and duration

April 2025 • March 2028

Project Status

In progress

Principal(s) investigator(s)

Sébastien Jodoin

McGill

Context

People with disabilities are disproportionately affected by climate change. They have higher morbidity and mortality rates during extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods and heat waves, and they face obstacles during the recovery process following a climate disaster. Their health, safety and quality of life are also threatened by gradual climate impacts such as steadily rising temperatures, deteriorating air quality, and increasing weather instability.

Although there is substantial literature on public health and climate change, it adopts a medical view of impairment that neglects the social foundations of disability, as well as the contributions that people with disabilities and their knowledge can make to the development and implementation of innovative accessibility and resilience practices. There are very few in-depth studies examining the non-medical factors that cause or exacerbate the climate vulnerability of people with disabilities or the practices that can increase their resilience.

Objective(s)

The overall objective of the project is to promote the development and implementation of disability-inclusive climate change adaptation in the Montréal metropolitan area.

Specific objectives:

To understand the impacts of climate change on the physical and mental health, quality of life, and daily lives of people with disabilities in the Montréal metropolitan area
To analyze the influence of social, economic, physical and institutional barriers on the climate change exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity of people with disabilities in the Montréal metropolitan area
To study the role that people with disabilities, their knowledge, their networks and their organizations play and could play in individual and collective climate adaptation efforts in the Montréal metropolitan area
To co-construct processes and practices to promote the implementation of disability-inclusive climate change adaptation with organizations of people with disabilities and their allies, and with decision-makers, professionals and stakeholders in the Montréal metropolitan area

Methodology

The methodological approach, based on human rights, is that knowledge must be created jointly with the disability community and with a diversity of voices within this community. The knowledge generated must be aligned with the priorities of people with disabilities, focused on rectifying current, historical or potential violations of their rights, and addressed to them in accessible formats.

Participatory action research that includes people with disabilities in scientific and knowledge transfer activities and relies on their leadership in solving the problems they face
Research methods

Semi-structured interviews
Development and administration of a survey
Analysis of the adaptation-related public policies and programs of cities and government organizations in the Montréal metropolitan area
Organization of deliberative workshops

Expected results

Publication of a questionnaire to assess the impacts of climate change on the physical and mental health, quality of life and daily lives of people with disabilities
Publication of an accessible report using plain language in French and English on the impacts of climate change on the physical and mental health, quality of life and daily lives of people with disabilities in the greater Montréal metropolitan area
Publication of scientific articles on:
- The impacts of climate change on the physical and mental health, quality of life and daily lives of people with disabilities in greater Montréal
- The influence of social, economic, physical and institutional barriers on the climate change exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity of people with disabilities in greater Montréal
- The role of people with disabilities as experts, decision-makers and builders of urban, semi-urban and regional climate adaptation
Organization of a series of workshops on disability-inclusive climate adaptation for multiple target audiences (organizations of persons with disabilities, municipal decision-makers and stakeholders, intersectoral service providers)
Recording and release of a series of 8-10 podcasts in French featuring people with disabilities and their allies discussing the impacts of climate change on people with disabilities and their role in implementing disability-inclusive climate adaptation in greater Montréal

Benefits for adaptation

The results of the project will enable the development and implementation of practices, policies and programs for disability-inclusive climate adaptation in the greater Montréal area and elsewhere in Quebec.

The project will also foster increased participation in climate adaptation planning by people with disabilities in the greater Montréal area and elsewhere in Quebec.