Disaster justice for people with disabilities

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to examine disaster justice for people with disabilities (PWD).Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the capability approach, the article explores distributive injustice that PWD face in dealing with disasters. It discusses procedural justice with a focus on the agency of PWD and their participation in decision-making processes concerning disaster risk reduction.FindingsIt argues that disaster injustice faced by PWD can be construed as the inequalities of capabilities that they experience in coping with disasters. Furthermore, although social structures play an important role in creating and perpetuating disaster injustice, PWD, as agents of change, have power to transform social structures that, in turn, bring about justice for themselves.Originality/valueThe article raises the need for considering the equality of capabilities and human agency in achieving disaster justice for PWD.