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

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.

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

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. 

1. 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

2. 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

This project should result in the writing and dissemination of accessible reports, the creation of a new questionnaire, the organization of educational workshops, and the production of a podcast. In addition, it will enable the co-generation and sharing of knowledge with a multitude of target audiences (disability organizations; municipal decision-makers and workers; intersectoral service providers; the general public).

Co researchers

• Philippe Archambault (McGill)

• Jura Augustinavicius (McGill)

• Matthew Hunt (McGill)

• Alexandra Lesnikowski (Uconcordia)

• Muriel Mac-Seing (Université de Montréal)

Partners

• Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal

• Ville de Montréal

• Société inclusive

• CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal

• Ex-Aequo

714900