Lack of Inclusive Disaster Preparedness Planning and Consultation
Despite high-level government initiatives to include peak disability organisations in devising emergency management plans, many people with disability are still not actively involved or invited to be a part of the process to devise local humanitarian emergency and natural disaster plans.104
Information relating to emergency management consultations, information and procedures is rarely distributed in accessible formats.
Lack of Inclusive Planning in Reconstruction Efforts
Reconstruction and redevelopment after natural disasters is not used as an opportunity for implementing inclusive planning and design from the ground up. The cost of adapting accessible construction designs is estimated at a mere 0.5-1 percent of the cost of a total project.105 Accessible buildings, business, transportation and public spaces contribute significantly to community inclusion of people with disability.106 More specifically, an improved and more accessible built environment will significantly benefit disaster preparedness107 and help protect the safety of both people with disability and the community generally.108
Australia does not explicitly ensure that accessibility considerations are incorporated into building and reconstruction planning initiatives and guidelines. As such, universal planning guidelines that take into account accessibility issues for people with disability are not implemented when providing emergency humanitarian assistance or disaster relief.
