Inclusive climate action: The intersection of accessibility and climate change

World Braille Day, observed on 4 January, highlights the importance of accessibility for persons with disabilities (PWDs), particularly those with visual impairments. Yet, accessibility goes beyond communication and must be central to our collective response to the climate crisis. As extreme weather events worsen, PWDs face heightened risks, especially during disasters. Without inclusive adaptation strategies, they remain some of the most vulnerable in our efforts to build resilience.

As one of the most climate-vulnerable nations, the Philippines experiences extreme events, including typhoons and flooding. For PWDs, these disasters pose greater challenges — from accessing early warnings to ensuring safe evacuation and obtaining relief. Most disaster response systems in the country are not equipped to address their specific needs.

Early warning systems, which are essential for saving lives during extreme weather, often fail to consider the needs of PWDs. For those with visual or auditory impairments, traditional warnings — such as text messages or sirens — may be ineffective. This highlights the urgent need for warning systems that are inclusive and sensitive to the specific requirements of PWDs to ensure that no one is left behind during crises.

Moreover, many evacuation centers and facilities remain physically inaccessible to individuals who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices. The lack of accessible pathways, ramps and communication tools limits PWDs from seeking refuge in times of crisis.

In 2013, typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) damaged many rehabilitation facilities that severely affected essential services for PWDs. An assessment conducted by the World Health Organization between November 2013 and April 2014 identified 2,998 individuals in need of rehabilitation services, including both those with pre-existing disabilities and individuals injured by the typhoon.

Rehabilitation efforts increased in the months following typhoon “Yolanda,” peaking four months after the disaster. The Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center established a Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, expanding services to include physical therapy, physical rehabilitation consultations, occupational therapy, and the provision of prostheses and orthoses.

Beyond medical care, initiatives were introduced to increase awareness of and inclusion for PWDs at the community level, involving local governments and stakeholders. A directory of health, rehabilitation, and disability services for Region 8 was published, improving access to critical information and services for PWDs.

As a strong advocate for accessibility and inclusion, I have also pushed for and long supported the promotion of Filipino Sign Language (FSL), our national sign language under Republic Act 11106. By integrating FSL into early warning systems and public service announcements, we can help deaf individuals prepare for disasters and respond to emergencies. FSL is crucial for empowering the deaf community, breaking down communication barriers and ensuring their access to information, especially during disasters.

Indeed, supporting FSL education and interpreter training helps create a more inclusive society. Promoting FSL and Braille emphasizes the need for communication systems that include everyone, especially PWDs. In disaster response and recovery, strategies must address the needs of PWDs, including the deaf, and ensure that essential services like rehabilitation are quickly restored. It is of prime importance to protect the rights of the marginalized groups and foster their full participation.

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) further emphasize the need for inclusive climate action. SDG 13 urges countries to take urgent action against climate change, while SDG 10 calls for reducing inequality. The intersection of these goals lies in ensuring that climate policies uplift marginalized communities, including PWDs. A truly resilient society is one where each person has equal access to opportunities for growth and safety.

At the national level, the Climate Change Commission has been working to integrate disability inclusion into the country’s climate strategies. The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) stresses the importance of an inclusive and participatory approach in addressing the impacts of climate change. A key strategy of the NAP involves mainstreaming integrated adaptation governance, which fosters collaboration across sectors and disciplines. This approach ensures that discussions include vulnerable populations — women, children, PWDs, Indigenous peoples and senior citizens — whose needs are often overlooked.

A rights-based approach to adaptation recognizes that PWDs have the right to safety, health and well-being, and these must be respected in every adaptation effort. This means ensuring that infrastructure, healthcare and essential services remain accessible to all, even in the face of disasters.

As the Philippines advances its climate adaptation plans, inclusivity must be at the forefront of every policy to make sure that PWDs receive the protection, services and opportunities they deserve.

We must work closely with all sectors to build resilience that leaves no one behind. Climate change affects everyone, but it affects the vulnerable the most. Only by embracing inclusivity can we build a resilient future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.