Wildfires expose evacuation gaps for Canadians with disabilities, advocates say

Janice Lyons was asleep when the signs for a fire appeared at her front door in Summerland, B.C. The 74-year-old, who is Deaf, did not receive any TV alerts or phone notifications about the Bald Range fire until it was nearing her home. Her neighbour Larry, also Deaf, had to physically guide her to an evacuation registration center in Penticton.

Lyons struggled to communicate with staff there, having no interpreters present. She and her husband had no prior arrangements with friends or family outside the wildfire zone. The evacuation process highlighted a lack of accessibility for Canadians with disabilities, who often face barriers in emergencies. Researchers suggest implementing enforceable provincial standards, such as delivering alerts in multiple accessible formats and ensuring shelters are accessible.

Accessibility is often recognized in principle but rarely built into emergency plans, says Tabassum Zarin, co-author of a study on inclusive B.C. wildfire evacuations.