15 - The Effects of Disaster on the Mental Health of Individuals with Disabilities

Summary

This chapter reviews results from studies that have focused on the effects of disaster on individuals with disabilities. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), created by the World Health Organization provides perhaps the most ecumenical definition of disability and uses a biopsychosocial approach to disability. Rooney and White's study of consumers with mobility impairments is one of the few that have obtained data directly from individuals with disabilities. Individuals with sensory disabilities include those who are visually impaired or blind, representing approximately 3% of the U.S. population and those who are auditorally impaired or deaf represent approximately 2.4% of the U.S. population. Individuals with cognitive disabilities include those individuals who are labeled as having autism, developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury, learning disabilities, or intellectual disabilities. Individuals with preexisting psychiatric disorders may be at additional risk due to events that occur postdisaster.