How well prepared are we for disaster? The perspectives of informal carers of people with disability

Informal carers of people with disability are disproportionately impacted by disasters; assisting their person with disability, negotiating their safety, as well as ensuring their own safety and needs are met. Despite a growing body of research to enable mainstream agencies to include people with disability in disaster risk reduction (DIDRR), informal carers are often overlooked. This study explores informal carers' experiences of disasters in Australia, focusing on their capabilities, preparedness and support needs. Informal carers reported actions they would take to maintain independence, the type of support they would need to evacuate or shelter in place, and advice they consider useful for informing education and training of other informal carers and the emergency services.

Automated summary

Informal carers of people with disability are often neglected in disaster risk reduction efforts, despite their significant impact and needs. This study explores the experiences of informal carers in Australia during disasters, focusing on their capabilities, preparedness, and support requirements. The findings highlight the actions that carers would take to maintain independence and the type of support they would need for evacuation or sheltering, providing valuable insights for education and training of carers and emergency services.