Disability and Climate Change

Climate Justice Union in partnership with People with Disabilities WA have been successful in securing a small grant from the Climate Action Network Australia to identify the links and connections between Disability and Climate Change. 

Why are we doing this project?

Climate change is an important issue to deal with, however we do not really know a lot about how it will affect people with disabilities in WA and what people with disabilities understand about climate change and their lives.

We know that climate change impacts people disproportionately (people who are already vulnerable/marginalised will be impacted earlier and harder than others) and we know that those who are most impacted are often not involved in the design of advocacy and policy.

People with disabilities are often ‘left behind’ during extreme events and their priorities and needs are rarely understood or integrated into our climate advocacy.

We are also aware that much of the work in the Climate movement excludes people with lived experience of disabilities. Conversations about climate change and climate action rarely link with disability rights or with disabled people’s priorities.

Meanwhile, many people with disabilities are often unaware of how climate change may impact their lives / is impacting their lives.

The intention of this project is to develop an advocacy agenda that prioritizes disability rights and climate action, and support people and organisations to incorporate these priorities into their existing work.

Project objectives include:

• Develop a list of priorities that can inform the advocacy work of climate and disability organisations and communities
• Develop easy read materials for people with disabilities about the connections between disability and climate
• Identify opportunities for sharing what we are learning through the project - conferences, workshops, networks

Getting involved

There are multiple ways to participate in this project. The steering committee will guide the project and there will be multiple workshops and events for people for people with disabilities to attend. They will be advertised here and through relevant newsletters and networks as they become available. For non disabled people there will be opportunities towards the end of the project to hear what we have learnt and to access any materials produced.

If you are interested in this project feel free to contact Jaime on jaime.yf@climatejusticeunion.org or on 0406 722066

The Steering Committee

The project is being facilitated by Climate Justice Union in partnership with People with Disabilities WA and we are seeking 3 representatives from the disability community to advise on the project, co-design workshops and promote participation.

The Steering Committee is an advisory body who will guide the development of the project. The Steering Committee is not a legally responsible body and members are not expected to undertake administrative or operational tasks.

The purpose of the Steering Committee Group is:

• Provide advice and support to the project team.
• Help ensure the project is inclusive and accessible.
• Contribute ideas and expertise, especially in terms of advocacy priorities and workshop design and questions.
• Promote the project and encourage attendance among their own networks.

The steering committee will meet 4 times during the project for approx. 1hour each time. Members of the steering committee will be paid ($70 per hour) for these meetings. The steering committee is supported by a small team of paid project staff who will organise the workshops and material development.

Steering Committee Meetings

We will schedule meetings at a time that works for members of the steering committee. Contributions are welcome via phone, text or email, before or during meetings, where attendance is not possible.

Meetings may be in person or online - depending on preference of the committee.

For more information feel free to contact Jaime on 0406 722066 or jaime.yf@climatejusticeunion.org

Nominations for the steering committee are now closed.