Inclusion of persons with disabilities in the climate change and disaster management related rules and policies of Bangladesh: An empirical study

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PwDs) in the climate change and disaster management related rules and policies in the coastal belt of Bangladesh. The perceptual or field data have been collected through field survey based on semi-structured questionnaire. A total 385 questionnaires were equally distributed among five study areas. The study reviewed that nearly fifteen (15) types of rules and policies have been identified among which eight (8) types of rules and policies are directly addressing the inclusion of PwDs in climate change and disaster management issues in Bangladesh. The study found that only 20 percent PwDs are included in disaster management committee in the national, district, metropolitan, municipal, upazila and union or ward levels. Although the maximum inclusion has been identified at the union level, the reason of execution is unaware of the rules of PwDs. In these circumstances, they do not get the security at shelter level and not priority during relief and rehabilitation in emergency period. While 60% of the PwDs believe that they have the ability to play roles or give an opinion in these committees. In order to, they argued that proper participation of PwDs at every planning process could ensure their dignity, security, priority and safer livelihood in coastal areas of Bangladesh.