FAQ

Climate change impacts the disability community more dramatically than it does for able-bodied people (who face many climate-related dangers themselves). People with disabilities in general are harder-hit by climate crises, from natural disasters to large-scale migration, and often have fewer resources to manage those crises. At a more detailed level, specific consequences of climate change affect people with specific types of disabilities: for example, some people with disabilities cannot sweat as easily as people without diabetes, which means they have an elevated risk of heat stroke during heat waves. Because of the diversity of climate impacts and types of disabilities, it’s possible to discover many ways that climate change disproportionately affects the disability community.

Sustain Our Abilities is dedicated to conquering climate change and to expanding climate justice for people with disabilities through education, organizing, research and advocacy. We work to bring people with and without disabilities together to transform climate adaptation and mitigation in ways that improve the independence, health and well-being of both the disability and non-disability communities. SOA is committed to building bridges – between individuals who are interested in working on climate change mitigation and adaptation and between stakeholders, including disability nonprofits and activists; climate change organizations; medical and rehabilitation professionals; government agencies; and other interested parties – as a key strategy to expand disability climate justice.

Accessible climate adaptation is the process of adapting to climate change in ways that are fully accessible and support the health and well-being of people with disabilities. We must adapt to climate change for the sake of everyone’s health and well-being – for example, by preparing for stronger storms or relocating communities away from coastal areas threatened by sea level rise. Accessible adaptation means that these efforts should be done in consultation with the disability community and address their concerns. Adaptation should also go beyond what’s required by law (e.g., the Americans with Disabilities Act) and strive for universal accessibility in any infrastructure, communications, disaster plans, etc.

Inclusive climate mitigation involves making sure that any efforts to slow and reverse climate change are done in consultation with the disability community, are universally accessible, and ultimately improve the health and well-being of people with disabilities. Climate mitigation includes an array of strategies, such as transitioning away from gas-powered vehicles, building a zero-carbon electric grid, designing more efficient cities and towns, and even sequestering carbon from of the atmosphere. Like accessible adaptation, inclusive mitigation can involve broad strategies (coalitions, consultation, universal design principles, etc.) or focus on more detailed areas (for example, making sure that new transit-oriented housing has fully accessible apartments).

Day for Tomorrow is October 22 – six months before and after Earth Day – and is a day to focus on how climate change is impacting people everywhere. It is called Day for Tomorrow because of the increased planning we must do now as we never know what tomorrow’s weather will bring. Day for Tomorrow is a time for people with and without disabilities to come together in the name of inclusive and accessible climate action, and to experience nature with all its mental and physical health benefits. SOA invites individuals and organizations to host events, build community, learn, play, organize, and make change in the world. Day for Tomorrow is also an opportunity to learn about and experience the mental and physical health benefits of connecting with nature, including through trips to regional parks and other outdoor areas. For more information, check out our page on Day for Tomorrow!

Sustain Our Abilities (SOA) uses several strategies to meet our organizational goals. We advance both accessible adaptation and inclusive mitigation through research; policy development; public education; engaging stakeholders including disability organizations, climate organizations, international actors (e.g., the United Nations), and government agencies; connecting climate-focused employers and job seekers with disabilities; and giving grassroots activists the tools they need to advocate for change. We support Day for Tomorrow events so community members can push for climate justice for people with and without disabilities and connect with nature to improve mental and physical health. Finally, we build coalitions with both domestic and international partners to fight climate change and expand disability climate justice.