Disabled in a heatwave: 'We're talking about survival'

Scorching temperatures during heatwaves pose significant challenges and risks for disabled individuals, often overlooked in public advice and emergency planning. Campaigner Doug Paulley warns that the difficulties faced by people with disabilities, from service dogs struggling in the heat to overheating wheelchairs, can be life-threatening.

For individuals like Paulley and London-based journalist Emily Davison, navigating the heat becomes a matter of survival rather than mere discomfort. Davison, whose guide dog Rosie's health must take precedence, has had to cancel valuable work engagements and face transportation challenges due to the heat. Disability researcher Hollye Kirkcaldy emphasizes that official heatwave guidance often fails to account for the unique circumstances of disabled individuals, resulting in barriers that can hinder their independence and mental wellbeing.