Abstract
Hurricanes are dangerous and unpredictable natural disasters, with Hurricane Katrina in 2005 serving as the most notable devastating natural disaster in recent American history (Howell, 2020). Hurricanes can cause destruction of property, prolonged displacement, diminished public health, and loss of life (Morford, 2021). It is commonly understood that natural disasters exacerbate pre-existing social inequities (Belser, 2015). Therefore, people with high needs yet limited access to resources are especially vulnerable during hurricanes— hence people with disabilities are arguably the most vulnerable population during such events (Harrati et al., 2023). Despite this recognition, people with disabilities are often the most overlooked leading up to and during disaster events, meaning that their vulnerability is often compounded by a lack of planning, resources and support (Connor, 2024). In order to address the complicated relationship between disability and the incidence of disaster, a theoretical framework was established and explored. In modern disaster management, Comprehensive Emergency Management informs how disasters are approached and responded to across every demographic (Stough & Kelman, 2015). Defining disability, however, proves challenging due to the diversity of disabilities and definitional disagreement surrounding modern theories and models of disability (Marques et al., 2020; Wasserman, 2011). The Social Model is a widely accepted and implemented strategy of approaching and understanding disability, and this model, paired with the Functional-Needs Approach, are further elaborated upon in the literature review to demonstrate how they have greater potential to be combined in an attempt to better account for people with disabilities and ensure their provision and protection during disasters (Finkelstein, 2001; Stough & Kelman, 2015). The present study collected qualitative data in order to determine the resources in place for residents of New Orleans with disabilities during hurricane events (Nowell et al., 2017). Both interviews and surveys were used to collect a wide array of data in the form of individual experience, focusing on previous hurricane events as well as present problems and future concerns. People with disabilities and key stakeholders were included in this research in order to i determine whether a discrepancy existed between the level of safety felt by disabled individuals and those who provide assistance for them. It was found that despite evident effort from various public organizations, such as advocacy groups and transportation companies, individuals with disabilities reported feeling generally unsafe and unprepared for future hurricane events. This is primarily attributed to a lack of involvement and support from local and federal government administrations, thus shifting responsibility to the individual with disabilities to advocate and provide for themselves. As distrust increases between people with disabilities and disaster relief organizations and initiatives meant to serve them, an increased sense of isolation and abandonment is observed. Many participants with disabilities cited previous negative experiences as the reasoning behind their feelings of hopelessness, dread, and defeat during hurricane seasons. In an attempt to help remedy this situation, numerous social entrepreneurs have assumed positions within this sector in the hope of filling gaps left by a failing top-down approach. Recognizing that lack of awareness and trust directly contributes to the suffering of an individual with disabilities during a natural disaster, key stakeholders in disaster management, disability advocacy, medical transport, and healthcare have stepped up to increase educational efforts and cultivate a foundation of trust between people with disabilities and the societal fixtures intended to serve them. As a result of these efforts, the majority of key stakeholders expressed perceiving people with disabilities as being safer and better accounted for during disasters than the findings from those with disabilities disclosed. This demonstrates that despite best efforts, these bottom-up grassroots efforts still fall short in providing completely comprehensive preparation and recovery measures. As a result, a diversified portfolio of independent social entrepreneurs, committed community initiatives, and a robust response at every level of government must be implemented in order to achieve improved conditions during the hurricane seasons for residents of New Orleans with disabilities. This can be done by increasing awareness via educational efforts, refining disaster communications to be clearer and more effective for people with disabilities, and fostering an increased sense of trust between all involved parties. Failure to do so can and will result in a sustained social vulnerability for those with disabilities enduring hurricane seasons within the Greater New Orleans region.