Tuesday, Jan 31, 2023 @ 4:30 pm

The Wisconsin Energy Institute will bring together a panel of experts on Jan. 31 to explore ways that climate change disproportionately affects people with disabilities.  

As storms fueled by climate change surge and aging infrastructure leads to more frequent power outages, disabled people face disproportionate risk to the impacts of climate change. At the same time, people with disabilities spend a higher percentage of their income on energy than non-disabled people, exposing intersecting systemic injustices.

In this time of adaptation and transformation, the disability community holds immense wisdom on living in, and with, change. 

The free event will be moderated by Mari Magler, director of the McBurney Disability Resource Center at UW–Madison, and will take place both in person at the Wisconsin Energy Institute (1552 University Ave, Madison) and online via Zoom Webinar.

What: Energy, Disability and Climate Justice forum

When: Jan. 31, 4:30 p.m.

Where: Wisconsin Energy Institute, 1552 University Ave., Madison; and online via Zoom

Registergo.wisc.edu/disability-forum

Contact Allison Bender with questions about the event or logistics. Contact information for participating scholars are listed below. Additional biographic information and photos available at https://energy.wisc.edu/events/energy-disability-and-climate-justice.

Speakers

Diana Hernandez, associate professor of sociomedical sciences, Columbia University; dh2494@cumc.columbia.edu

A leading researcher in the field of energy insecurity, Hernandez studies the intersections of energy, equity, housing, and health with a focus on how place-based interventions affect the health and well-being of socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.

Katie Collins, clinical assistant professor and global health coordinator, UW-Madison; kacollins5@wisc.edu

A Nurse Practitioner, Collins is a member of the Alliance of Nurses For Healthy Environments (ANHE) and Wisconsin Health Professionals For Climate Action. Her main academic interests are in the areas of psychological trauma, planetary health and justice and global health.

Angela Frederick, associate professor of sociology, University of Texas at El Paso; ahfrederick2@utep.edu

A qualitative researcher with expertise in the areas of gender, disability, race/ethnicity, and social class, Frederick is examining the impact of climate related disasters on people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. 

Amal Khan, student, UW–Madison; ankhan4@wisc.edu

A 4th-year undergraduate student studying philosophy and data science, Khan is an intern at the Disability Cultural Center at the McBurney Center where she helps promote and bring awareness to disability justice on campus.

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