Disability representation in Indonesian disaster risk reduction regulatory frameworks

Abstract

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (Sendai Framework) sparked a global shift towards requiring active and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). The aim of this paper was to examine the extent of inclusion of disability and representation of persons with disabilities in Indonesian national DRR laws to determine whether Indonesia's current regulatory frameworks align with the commitment to disability espoused in the Sendai Framework. Over 180 disaster management laws were identified from the period of 1945–2018 from Indonesia's Disaster Management Agency website and one research study. Sixteen documents met the following inclusion criteria: (a) focusing on national level DRR and (b) directly mentioning disability. Content analysis of these laws demonstrated that disability is included as one element of social vulnerability. Persons with disabilities were frequently referred to as a “vulnerable group” or one of many “vulnerable groups” in higher level laws. Recognition of the active contribution of persons with disabilities to DRR was only evident in recent lower level laws. To enhance the implementation of the Sendai Framework in Indonesia requires updating Indonesia's higher level laws to align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and would aided by the development of technical guidelines on implementation of disability-inclusive DRR.