At Difference North East’s Disabled Climate Action Forum, disabled people, allies and researchers explored how power cuts can affect safety, independence and wellbeing. Participants highlighted that electricity powers far more than lights and appliances, as it supports mobility equipment, communication, medical devices and daily living. The discussion called for disabled people to be at the centre of climate adaptation, emergency planning and power outage responses.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Why Power Cuts Matter
3. Lived Experience of Power Outages
4. Information, Access and Communication
5. Are Current Systems Working?
6. What Would a Better Response Look Like?
7. Looking Ahead
1. Introduction
Our latest Disabled Climate Action Forum welcomed Dr Danielle Drozdzewski from Durham University’s Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience. Danielle shared research exploring how power cuts affect disabled people, people with long-term health conditions and neurodivergent people across the North East.
2. Why Power Cuts Matter
As climate change increases the likelihood of extreme weather, power outages may become more common. Participants discussed how electricity is often essential for independence, communication, mobility, health and safety.
3. Lived Experience of Power Outages
Forum members described the reality of relying on powered wheelchairs, hoists, adjustable beds, oxygen equipment, CPAP machines, environmental controls, electric doors and other technologies. For many people, a power cut is not an inconvenience but a potentially life-threatening situation. Participants spoke about anxiety, loss of independence, disrupted sleep, inability to communicate and concerns about accessing support.
4. Information, Access and Communication
The discussion highlighted significant barriers for Deaf people and others who require accessible communications. Emergency information is often difficult to access and may not be available in formats that people can use. Participants stressed that accessible information must be available before, during and after emergencies.
5. Are Current Systems Working?
The forum explored existing arrangements such as the Priority Services Register, utility company communications and Local Resilience Forums. While these systems are intended to support people during emergencies, many participants felt they offered limited reassurance and did not adequately reflect the realities of disabled people’s lives.
6. What Would a Better Response Look Like?
Participants called for genuine co-production with disabled people and disabled people’s organisations. Ideas included backup battery provision, proactive welfare checks, accessible communications, stronger links between utility providers and social care services, and clearer planning for people who rely on electricity-dependent equipment.
7. Looking Ahead
A recurring theme was that disabled people are experts in problem-solving because they navigate barriers every day. The forum concluded that disabled people must be involved from the earliest stages of climate adaptation and emergency planning. As climate change accelerates, ensuring disabled people’s safety and inclusion must be treated as a priority, not an afterthought. But more than this, we are the custodians of the world, and we simply will not be excluded from this agenda.
If you are interested in taking part in further climate action, please drop us an email at: info@differencenortheast.org.uk
