A two-day workshop on school safety with a focus on disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction took place in the capital of Kerala. The event emphasized the importance of policies that promote inclusivity and the necessity of mental health support for individuals with disabilities during emergency situations.
The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has highlighted that people with disabilities should be actively consulted and involved in the formulation and execution of both national and local strategies. These workshops were organized in line with that principle, aiming to improve both disaster preparedness and inclusivity in schools throughout the state, according to a spokesperson for the organizers.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), in collaboration with NGOs GeoHazards Society and Mariwala Health Initiative, conducted the workshops, which gathered various stakeholders, including policymakers, advocates for social justice, and representatives from organizations supporting persons with disabilities.
During a panel discussion, PT Baburaj, the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in Kerala, pointed out existing gaps in policy. Arun S Nair, the Director of the Social Justice Department, shared valuable insights regarding disability-inclusive policies and the significance of social justice in disaster management. Raj Mariwala, the Director of the Mariwala Health Initiative, emphasized the relationship between disability and mental health in the context of disaster situations, while a session led by GeoHazards Society highlighted the challenges and opportunities in making disaster risk reduction accessible to everyone.
An engaging component of the event was a visit to the Sredha Computer and Vocational Training Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, where participants witnessed a fire safety drill. This experience underscored the necessity of practical safety training tailored to meet the unique needs of persons with disabilities. Various institutions, including Assisi Centre from Kerala, the Deaf Biblical Ministry from Nagaland, Shishu Sarothi from Assam, and Action for Autism from Delhi, shared their insights on the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities during emergencies.
The workshop focused on creating resilient educational environments through effective disaster preparedness. Students from the Government Model Lower Primary School presented a fire safety skit based on lessons learned from disaster risk reduction programs conducted by GeoHazards Society. Schools that had already adopted DRR programs shared their best practices, challenges faced, and how they continued these initiatives independently after gaining knowledge from the training. The discussions revolved around enhancing school safety through community engagement and sustained commitment.
