Latvia’s Organisation of People with Disabilities and Their Friends “Sustento” stresses that civil protection plans lack a unified approach to addressing the needs of people with disabilities.
After reviewing the civil protection plans of various Latvian municipalities, the organization concluded that access to information and assistance for different social groups during crises is addressed inconsistently.
Several municipalities, including Riga, Ādaži, and Aizkraukle, have included measures aimed at making warnings more comprehensible to a broader range of residents. However, “Sustento” notes that more work is needed to ensure that information is genuinely accessible to people with varying perceptual abilities—for example, through the use of easy-to-read language, subtitles, or sign language interpretation.
The organization also observed that the needs of people with mobility impairments are not always reflected in these plans. Civil protection documents rarely describe evacuation procedures or support arrangements for those who require assistance with movement. Only in isolated cases—such as in Jelgava and Līvāni—was prior needs assessment mentioned, which could serve as a useful prerequisite for providing practical help.
The analysis also highlights the issue of participation—organizations representing people with disabilities are generally not involved in the planning process,
and there is no clear information on how such cooperation would be organized. This also applies to the adaptation of information and the provision of training for various target groups, according to “Sustento.”
In the organization’s view, special attention should also be given to the accessibility of shelters. Currently, only a small number of plans include information about their suitability for individuals with mobility issues.
Drawing on the experience of other countries, “Sustento” points out that these challenges can be addressed in a targeted manner. For instance, in the Netherlands, evacuation plans are developed specifically for people with disabilities; in Germany, shelter accessibility is actively tested; and in Estonia, civil protection information is provided in easy-to-read language.
To better understand the needs of people with disabilities during crises, the organization conducted a survey involving over 1 000 respondents from all municipalities. Physical copies of the survey are still being received from regional areas, and the information is currently being compiled and analysed.
Based on the analysis of the survey data and other information, the organization will offer proposals to improve Latvia’s civil protection system, making it more accessible and inclusive for all residents—especially for people with disabilities.
“Sustento” will carry out the data analysis as part of the project “Safety for All: An Inclusive Civil Protection System at the National and Municipal Level,” which runs until the 31st of October of next year.
The project is financially supported by the Society Integration Foundation from the state budget.