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It’s critical! : How critical disability studies and critical disaster studies can amplify disabled voices

Stjernholm, Linda LU (2025) In Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research 27(1). p.763-774
Abstract
This study explores how insights from critical disability studies and critical disaster studies can inform more inclusive approaches to disaster risk reduction (DRR). Although disability-inclusive DRR policies call for the involvement of disabled people, structural ableism and unequal power relations can limit participation. While critical disaster studies increasingly considers marginalized populations, disability perspectives remain overlooked. Drawing on co-creation workshops with disabled people’s organizations and local stakeholders, the study examines how preparedness is shaped by social and institutional norms. It suggests that participatory co-creation may identify barriers and redistribute agency to disabled people in disaster... (More)
This study explores how insights from critical disability studies and critical disaster studies can inform more inclusive approaches to disaster risk reduction (DRR). Although disability-inclusive DRR policies call for the involvement of disabled people, structural ableism and unequal power relations can limit participation. While critical disaster studies increasingly considers marginalized populations, disability perspectives remain overlooked. Drawing on co-creation workshops with disabled people’s organizations and local stakeholders, the study examines how preparedness is shaped by social and institutional norms. It suggests that participatory co-creation may identify barriers and redistribute agency to disabled people in disaster preparedness. Findings advance theory and practice by moving beyond deficit-based frameworks and highlight three mechanisms for mitigating power asymmetries: (1) institutionalizing accessible co-decision-making, (2) embedding multi-modal communication as standard practice, and (3) recognizing disabled people’s situated expertise. The study underscores the value of critically informed, participatory methods for effective crisis responses. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Disability, Disaster, Crisis management, Disaster risk reduction, Critical disability studies
in
Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research
volume
27
issue
1
pages
11 pages
publisher
Stockholm University Press
ISSN
1501-7419
DOI
10.16993/sjdr.1298
project
Inkluderande krisberedskap i en föränderlig värld: ökad säkerhet och livskvalitet
From passive receiver to active resource in the crisis management system
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
6a211a59-c5d7-41bc-bc9b-e438f440ff2c
date added to LUP
2025-12-17 14:27:00
date last changed
2025-12-19 10:06:22
@article{6a211a59-c5d7-41bc-bc9b-e438f440ff2c,
  abstract     = {{This study explores how insights from critical disability studies and critical disaster studies can inform more inclusive approaches to disaster risk reduction (DRR). Although disability-inclusive DRR policies call for the involvement of disabled people, structural ableism and unequal power relations can limit participation. While critical disaster studies increasingly considers marginalized populations, disability perspectives remain overlooked. Drawing on co-creation workshops with disabled people’s organizations and local stakeholders, the study examines how preparedness is shaped by social and institutional norms. It suggests that participatory co-creation may identify barriers and redistribute agency to disabled people in disaster preparedness. Findings advance theory and practice by moving beyond deficit-based frameworks and highlight three mechanisms for mitigating power asymmetries: (1) institutionalizing accessible co-decision-making, (2) embedding multi-modal communication as standard practice, and (3) recognizing disabled people’s situated expertise. The study underscores the value of critically informed, participatory methods for effective crisis responses.}},
  author       = {{Stjernholm, Linda}},
  issn         = {{1501-7419}},
  keywords     = {{Disability; Disaster; Crisis management; Disaster risk reduction; Critical disability studies}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{12}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{763--774}},
  publisher    = {{Stockholm University Press}},
  series       = {{Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research}},
  title        = {{It’s critical! : How critical disability studies and critical disaster studies can amplify disabled voices}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.16993/sjdr.1298}},
  doi          = {{10.16993/sjdr.1298}},
  volume       = {{27}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}