Inclusive Climate Action: A Scoping Review on the Representation and Inclusion of People With Intellectual Disability in Climate Change Research

Watfern, C; Carnemolla, P

Inclusive Climate Action: A Scoping Review on the Representation and Inclusion of People With Intellectual Disability in Climate Change Research

Watfern, C Carnemolla, P

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Publisher:: Wiley
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 2025
Issue Date:: 2025-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Watfern, C
dc.contributor.author	Carnemolla, P https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2451-9427
dc.date.accessioned	2025-07-25T02:00:55Z
dc.date.available	2025-07-25T02:00:55Z
dc.date.issued	2025-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 2025
dc.identifier.issn	1354-4187
dc.identifier.issn	1468-3156
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/188765
dc.description.abstract	Background: Climate change disproportionally affects people with intellectual disability. Despite this, people with intellectual disability are rarely included in conversations about just environmental futures. Methods: Using PRISMA-ScR guidelines, this scoping review maps the academic literature surrounding intellectual disability and climate change. Findings: We identified three key themes in the 10 articles included in our review. First, people with intellectual disability experience heightened risks and barriers during and after natural disasters. Second, they are largely absent from government disaster planning and response. Third, inclusive education initiatives are in their infancy. Overall, people with intellectual disability are not involved as leaders or collaborators in research or practice related to climate change. The literature focuses almost exclusively on natural disasters as opposed to the broader context of the climate crisis. Conclusion: We take a critical lens, calling for further research that reframes the role of people with intellectual disability in climate change discourses: From helpless victims to collaborators, caretakers, and advocates for a safer climate.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Wiley
dc.relation.ispartof	British Journal of Learning Disabilities
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/bld.12632
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1303 Specialist Studies in Education, 1702 Cognitive Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Rehabilitation
dc.subject.classification	3904 Specialist studies in education
dc.subject.classification	4203 Health services and systems
dc.title	Inclusive Climate Action: A Scoping Review on the Representation and Inclusion of People With Intellectual Disability in Climate Change Research
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.for	1303 Specialist Studies in Education
utslib.for	1702 Cognitive Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building/School of Built Environment
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/UTS Ageing Research Collaborative (UARC)
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Visualisation Institute (VI)
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Disability Research Network
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Stroke Research Collaborative
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/New Faculty
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/New Faculty/School of Built Environment
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-07-25T02:00:54Z
pubs.publication-status	Published

Abstract:

Background: Climate change disproportionally affects people with intellectual disability. Despite this, people with intellectual disability are rarely included in conversations about just environmental futures. Methods: Using PRISMA-ScR guidelines, this scoping review maps the academic literature surrounding intellectual disability and climate change. Findings: We identified three key themes in the 10 articles included in our review. First, people with intellectual disability experience heightened risks and barriers during and after natural disasters. Second, they are largely absent from government disaster planning and response. Third, inclusive education initiatives are in their infancy. Overall, people with intellectual disability are not involved as leaders or collaborators in research or practice related to climate change. The literature focuses almost exclusively on natural disasters as opposed to the broader context of the climate crisis. Conclusion: We take a critical lens, calling for further research that reframes the role of people with intellectual disability in climate change discourses: From helpless victims to collaborators, caretakers, and advocates for a safer climate.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/188765