The Climate Crisis Facing Older, Disabled Americans

We’ve partnered with disabled filmmakers globally to document how climate change is impacting people with disabilities in their communities. “Heat and Hurricanes” was edited by Aki Gaythwaite.

For disabled Americans like Larry Landrie, the intersection of climate change and disability is a life-threatening reality. With hurricanes and heatwaves growing more frequent, the risks are high, but emergency plans often overlook disabled people. Living in Georgia, Landrie depends on air conditioning to cope with extreme heat, but mounting repair costs make it unaffordable, while hurricanes and blocked roads make it even harder to reach essential medical appointments. “When your air conditioner goes out and they say, ‘Get used to the heat’—well, I’m old, chronically ill, and I can’t take the heat,” Landrie says. The Disability Disaster Hotline, offered by the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, is a step forward, providing crucial support for disabled individuals during disasters.

Read our instructions on how to watch the video on Able Player.