Unsplash.com photo by Markus Spiske.
This week, Gov. Wes Moore signed a groundbreaking executive order aimed at protecting us from climate change while fostering an inclusive economy. The order directs every agency to develop solutions and consider Justice40 goals, initiatives and funding to advance environmental justice comprehensively.
However, while many policymakers and practitioners recognize the roles of race and place in determining who is overburdened and underserved, Maryland’s 719,000 residents with disabilities, including 350,000 of working age, are often overlooked.
Climate change poses unique challenges for people with disabilities, exacerbating existing inequalities and creating new risks. Extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods, storms and poor air quality can be life-threatening for individuals with disabilities who may have mobility issues, rely on electrical medical devices, or require specialized transportation or housing. Moreover, disaster response and recovery efforts often lack necessary accommodations, leaving people with disabilities more vulnerable during and after these events.
Marylanders of all abilities can benefit from — and also contribute to — our state’s vital climate work. This includes individuals from diverse backgrounds.
People who live near coal and other plants, or in structures with lead paint or water, are at higher risks of disabilities. Often, due to historical marginalization, those are people of color. Poverty causes disability and disability can lead to more poverty. For example, among 227,000 African American Marylanders with disabilities, only 28.3% (64,000) are employed, and 27.3% live in poverty compared to 11.1% of African Americans without disabilities. Among 50,000 Latinx individuals with disabilities in our state, only 37.4% (19,000) are employed, and 17.1% live in poverty compared to 12.2% of Latinx people without disabilities.”
Early in Gov. Moore’s campaign, he outlined his bold goals for ensuring that Maryland leaves no one behind, including Marylanders with disabilities. However, achieving these goals is easier said than done.
Marylanders with disabilities often face significant barriers that prevent them from participating in climate solutions, including:
As the only member of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change who publicly identifies as part of the disability community, I offer the following recommendations to ensure that the climate movement benefits from the talents and perspectives of people with disabilities:
By implementing these recommendations, we can ensure that Maryland’s climate policies are inclusive and equitable, reflecting our commitment to protecting all residents. Addressing the needs of Maryland’s residents with disabilities is not just a legal obligation—it strengthens our communities and enhances our resilience.
by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, Maryland Matters
June 5, 2024
by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, Maryland Matters
June 5, 2024
This week, Gov. Wes Moore signed a groundbreaking executive order aimed at protecting us from climate change while fostering an inclusive economy. The order directs every agency to develop solutions and consider Justice40 goals, initiatives and funding to advance environmental justice comprehensively.
However, while many policymakers and practitioners recognize the roles of race and place in determining who is overburdened and underserved, Maryland’s 719,000 residents with disabilities, including 350,000 of working age, are often overlooked.
Climate change poses unique challenges for people with disabilities, exacerbating existing inequalities and creating new risks. Extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods, storms and poor air quality can be life-threatening for individuals with disabilities who may have mobility issues, rely on electrical medical devices, or require specialized transportation or housing. Moreover, disaster response and recovery efforts often lack necessary accommodations, leaving people with disabilities more vulnerable during and after these events.
Marylanders of all abilities can benefit from — and also contribute to — our state’s vital climate work. This includes individuals from diverse backgrounds.
People who live near coal and other plants, or in structures with lead paint or water, are at higher risks of disabilities. Often, due to historical marginalization, those are people of color. Poverty causes disability and disability can lead to more poverty. For example, among 227,000 African American Marylanders with disabilities, only 28.3% (64,000) are employed, and 27.3% live in poverty compared to 11.1% of African Americans without disabilities. Among 50,000 Latinx individuals with disabilities in our state, only 37.4% (19,000) are employed, and 17.1% live in poverty compared to 12.2% of Latinx people without disabilities.”
Early in Gov. Moore’s campaign, he outlined his bold goals for ensuring that Maryland leaves no one behind, including Marylanders with disabilities. However, achieving these goals is easier said than done.
Marylanders with disabilities often face significant barriers that prevent them from participating in climate solutions, including:
As the only member of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change who publicly identifies as part of the disability community, I offer the following recommendations to ensure that the climate movement benefits from the talents and perspectives of people with disabilities:
By implementing these recommendations, we can ensure that Maryland’s climate policies are inclusive and equitable, reflecting our commitment to protecting all residents. Addressing the needs of Maryland’s residents with disabilities is not just a legal obligation—it strengthens our communities and enhances our resilience.
Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: editor@marylandmatters.org. Follow Maryland Matters on Facebook and Twitter.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. AP and Getty images may not be republished. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of any other photos and graphics.
Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi is co-founder of the Mizrahi Family Charitable Fund. She serves on the Maryland Climate Commission and multiple nonprofit advisory boards.
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Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website.
© Maryland Matters, 2024