title: Barriers to the long-term recovery of individuals with disabilities following a disaster.
abstract: This study examines how pre-existing disabling conditions influenced the recovery process of survivors of Hurricane Katrina. It focuses specifically on the barriers that hindered the recovery process in these individuals. Focus groups were convened in four Gulf Coast states with 31 individuals with disabilities who lived in or around New Orleans, Louisiana, prior to Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. Qualitative data were analysed using grounded theory methodology. Five themes emerged as the most significant barriers to recovery: housing; transportation; employment; physical and mental health; and accessing recovery services. While these barriers to recovery were probably common to most survivors of the disaster, the research results suggest that disability status enhanced the challenges that participants experienced in negotiating the recovery process and in acquiring resources that accommodated their disabilities. The findings indicate that, when disaster recovery services and resources did not accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities, recovery was hindered. Recovery efforts should include building accessible infrastructure and services that will allow for participation by all.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Educational Psychology and Assistant Director at the Center on Disability and Development, Texas A&M University, United States.
authors.forename: Laura M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Stough
authors.affiliation: Associate Director at the Center on Disability and Development, Texas A&M University, United States.
authors.forename: Amy N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Sharp
authors.affiliation: Captain and Psychologist in the US Air Force, United States.
authors.forename: J Aaron
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Resch
authors.affiliation: Executive Director at the National Disability Rights Network, United States.
authors.forename: Curt
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Decker
authors.affiliation: Deputy Executive Director for Training and Technical Assistance at the National Disability Rights Network, United States.
authors.forename: Nachama
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wilker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D004190:Disasters; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015144:Southeastern United States; D014186:Transportation
keywords: Hurricane Katrina; disability; disaster; recovery