Husseini de Oliveira Christofoletti, Gustavo (2025) Understanding the Perceptions of Persons with Vision Impairment Regarding the November 2024 Floods in Málaga, Spain: A Qualitative Study. Master thesis, Cultural Geography - Climate Adaptation Governance (CAG).
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Abstract
This research explores the perceptions of persons with vision impairment in Málaga, Spain, regarding the floods of November 2024. Grounded in the social model of disability and the human rights approach, the study frames disability as the outcome of social and environmental barriers, rather than individual impairment. These barriers, rooted in ableist norms, limit access to fundamental rights and services, especially during climate-related emergencies. The main objective was to understand participants’ experiences during the flood. Secondary aim included identifying key challenges and gathering recommendations to inform more inclusive disaster risk reduction (DRR) planning in Málaga. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted, each lasting approximately 30 minutes. Data were analyzed through a theoretically informed thematic analysis. Findings revealed that while participants generally viewed the local government's early warning systems as effective, they also experienced fear and heightened vulnerability. Environmental barriers—such as water accumulation, mud, and debris on sidewalks—significantly impaired their mobility. Issues such as obstructed paths and inadequate communication formats further exacerbated their risk during the event. Participants emphasized the need for improved urban planning and infrastructure maintenance, including better sewage systems and regular riverbed cleaning. They also recommended more accessible emergency protocols and clearer, inclusive communication strategies during crises. This study underscored the need for a more robust and systemic inclusion of persons with vision impairment into disaster risk reduction plans and national climate policies, in order to mitigate their vulnerability in the face of increasingly frequent extreme weather events as a consequence of climate change
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Name supervisor: | Yousefzadeh Faal Daghati, S. |
| Date Deposited: | 21 Jul 2025 06:08 |
| Last Modified: | 21 Jul 2025 06:08 |
| URI: | https://campus-fryslan.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/711 |
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