Global Deaf and Disability-Led Partnerships for Accessible Emergency Response and Humanitarian Action

Authors

Alina A. Engelman, California State University, East BayFollow
Joe Booze, California State University, East BayFollow
Alexia Izquierdo, California State University, East BayFollow

Keywords

emergency, humanitarian, global, disasters, disability, deaf, disability justice, climate change, war, civil unrest, disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction, DiDRR, disaster cycle, preparedness, response, non-governmental organization, NGO, non-profit, refugee, immigration, internally displaced persons

Abstract

Disability-serving non-profit, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a critical role in fostering care networks and supporting humanitarian action for disabled people before and during emergencies, particularly in the absence of targeted philanthropic and governmental support. However, relatively few NGOs serving disabled people are led or operated by people with disabilities, especially by disabled women. This analysis, based on survey and interview data with leadership, explores the impact of two disability-led operations. Findings have profound implications for how social work practice can center disability justice both in preparing for and responding to emergencies. This paper assesses the needs and impact of two deaf and disability-led efforts run and founded by women: the pioneering deaf-led Off-The-Grid Missions (OTG) and the Global Alliance for Disaster Resource Acceleration (GADRA). OTG is a deaf-led disaster response NGO that works on the ground for Deaf, Hard-of-hearing, DeafBlind, and DeafDisabled (DHHDBDD) people throughout Haiti, Ukraine, Syria, Türkiye, Lebanon, Puerto Rico, the United States, and elsewhere. GADRA is also a global, disability-led venture, a joint effort with the World Institute on Disability (WID) and other disability-led partners, including the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies and ONG Inclusiva in Chile. It is critical for stakeholders, including philanthropic funders,governments, and social work practitioners in mainstream NGOs, to learn from, fund, and prioritize disability-led efforts.

Recommended Citation

Engelman, Alina A.; Booze, Joe; and Izquierdo, Alexia (2024) "Global Deaf and Disability-Led Partnerships for Accessible Emergency Response and Humanitarian Action," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 51: Iss. 1, Article 12.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.4717
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol51/iss1/12