Integrated disaster management experience of people with disabilities: A phenomenological research on the experience of people with orthopedic disabilities in Turkiye

Abstract

Turkey is one of the countries where disasters are frequently experienced due to its geopolitical position. As in all parts of the world, disasters that occur in Turkey as well affect some groups more than others. This study aims to reveal the disaster experience of individuals with orthopedic disabilities within the integrated disaster management process. The research was conducted us-ing phenomenological model, which is one of the qualitative research methods. The data were collected using a semi-structured interview form. Thirteen (13) individuals with orthopedic dis-ability who have lived through a disaster were interviewed in the study and their answers were transcribed by experts. The results of the study concluded that people with orthopedic disabilities are not adequately prepared for disasters; they have access problems to training pieces related to disasters; the early warning systems are inefficient; they are willing to participate in voluntary works but they are excluded thereof; they have evacuation challenges during and after disasters; they cannot reach the meeting points and temporary housing areas or disaster aids and they feel excluded; they have trouble accessing tools and vehicles for mobility; the support from acquain-tances helps for tackling these problems but they are not included in the integrated disaster man-agement processes. This study revealed that people with disabilities are more affected by disas-ters than other individuals. Therefore, this study emphasizes these people should be included in integrated disaster management processes in order to increase their resilience in the face of disas-ters.