Climate change severely impacts people with disabilities—the aff is a prerequisite to the alt
EPA 22; Environmental Protection Agency 2022, “Climate Change and the Health of People with Disabilities”, https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-and-health-people-disabilities#:~:text=Increases%20in%20average%20and%20extreme,groups%2C%20including%20people%20with%20disabilities.&text=Some%20people%20with%20disabilities%20are,heat%2Drelated%20illness%20and%20death., December 13, 2022/CR
Emergency warnings and other important messages may not be designed with accessibility in mind. This can make it difficult for people with disabilities (such as those with low vision or blindness, hearing loss, or mobility issues) to plan for extreme weather events.
They may need ongoing medical care, which can be disrupted before, during, and after a natural disaster or extreme weather event.
People with disabilities are more likely to have social and economic risk factors, such as poverty and unemployment, that put them at greater risk.
On this page:
Key Threats to People with Disabilities’ Health
What You Can Do
Investigate Other Populations At Risk
Related Resources
Endnotes
EPA Adaptation Resources
EPA works to protect and improve human health and the environment. Helping vulnerable populations adapt to and protect themselves against climate impacts is a part of that. See additional resources on related EPA adaptation efforts:
EPA’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan
Climate Change Adaptation Resource Center
Extreme Heat and Health
Outdoor Air Quality
Water Quality and Health
More than 3 million children under 18 had a disability in 2019.
Key Threats to People with Disabilities’ Health
In the United States, many climate-related threats affect the health of people with disabilities. Below are some examples of the potential health impacts of these hazards.
Heat Illnesses
Water-Related Illnesses
Mental Health Effects
Injuries and Death