Advocacy for Inclusion (AFI) has made a submission to the ACT Emergency Services Agency in response to the Draft Strategic Bushfire Management Plan Version 5. AFI continues to advocate for the full inclusion of people with disability in emergency planning and response. This submission reinforces the key messages we raised during an earlier round of consultation – highlighting the ongoing need to recognise and address the unique risks faced by people with disability during disasters.
Despite the complexity of emergency planning, it is vital that the experiences and needs of people with disability are not overlooked. More than one in five Canberrans identify as having a disability, and they are often among the most disproportionately affected during bushfires and other emergencies. Our submission outlines practical, inclusive measures to improve communication, sheltering, evacuation, continuity of care, and recovery planning. Embedding disability inclusion in bushfire preparedness is not just a matter of equity – it is essential to building a truly resilient and responsive emergency management system for all.