Regional Mountain Conference

People with disabilities face disproportionately high risks during disasters, yet they remain insufficiently considered in disaster risk management (DRM) planning and practice. Despite international frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, disability-inclusive approaches are still inadequately implemented, particularly at local and regional levels. This study contributes to this gap through an exploratory pilot study in the alpine region of Tyrol, Austria, focusing on flood risk exposure and preparedness in facilities serving people with disabilities.

The study combines spatial analysis of residential and workplace facilities with qualitative expert interviews and document analysis. Flood hazard maps were used to assess exposure to river and torrential flooding, while interviews with representatives from disaster management, disability services, and research explored awareness, preparedness, and institutional inclusion. Results show that a substantial number of facilities are located within flood-prone areas, including zones of moderate to high hazard. At the same time, awareness of flood risk and preparedness measures within disability facilities is limited, and disability-specific considerations are largely absent from disaster planning. Key barriers include inaccessible risk information, insufficient data on affected populations, and limited participation of people with disabilities in emergency planning and response structures.

The findings highlight an urgent need for disability-inclusive disaster risk management that integrates accessible risk communication, targeted preparedness measures, improved data collection, and the meaningful involvement of people with disabilities. While grounded in a Tyrolean case study, the results are relevant for other mountainous regions facing similar hazard and governance contexts. The presentation will conclude with an outlook on further research in this field.