Sheena Mariam Thomas – författare

This interdisciplinary volume examines the intersection of disability, disaster risk, and resilience within the sociocultural and ecological contexts of Oceania. Drawing on oral histories, Indigenous knowledge systems, and policy analysis, the book foregrounds the lived experiences of disabled individuals in Pacific Island nations facing climate-related disasters such as cyclones, volcanic eruptions, and rising sea levels. It critically engages with global frameworks—including the Sendai Framework and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities—while highlighting implementation gaps and accessibility challenges in local contexts.By integrating perspectives from disability studies, environmental justice, and decolonial theory, the book challenges dominant disaster discourses that often overlook disability. It explores how disabled communities navigate compounded vulnerabilities and contribute to resilience-building through community care, advocacy, and inclusive planning. The volume offers region-specific insights into infrastructure disparities, gendered dimensions of vulnerability, and culturally grounded strategies for disaster preparedness.This book will be of interest to scholars and practitioners in public health, disability studies, climate adaptation, and policy development. It provides a timely and actionable contribution to inclusive disaster governance and climate justice, amplifying voices from Oceania that are often underrepresented in global literature.

This interdisciplinary volume examines the intersection of disability, disaster risk, and resilience within the sociocultural and ecological contexts of Oceania. Drawing on oral histories, Indigenous knowledge systems, and policy analysis, the book foregrounds the lived experiences of disabled individuals in Pacific Island nations facing climate-related disasters such as cyclones, volcanic eruptions, and rising sea levels. It critically engages with global frameworks—including the Sendai Framework and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities—while highlighting implementation gaps and accessibility challenges in local contexts.By integrating perspectives from disability studies, environmental justice, and decolonial theory, the book challenges dominant disaster discourses that often overlook disability. It explores how disabled communities navigate compounded vulnerabilities and contribute to resilience-building through community care, advocacy, and inclusive planning. The volume offers region-specific insights into infrastructure disparities, gendered dimensions of vulnerability, and culturally grounded strategies for disaster preparedness.This book will be of interest to scholars and practitioners in public health, disability studies, climate adaptation, and policy development. It provides a timely and actionable contribution to inclusive disaster governance and climate justice, amplifying voices from Oceania that are often underrepresented in global literature.

This book offers a pioneering exploration of disability through Indigenous epistemologies and decolonial theory in Latin America. It challenges dominant Western biomedical and rights-based models by foregrounding relational ontologies, community-based care, and ancestral knowledge systems. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from anthropology, disability studies, Latin American studies, and political theory, the volume critically examines how colonial legacies shape structural exclusion and cultural representations of disability.Through ethnographic accounts, oral histories, and grassroots initiatives, the book highlights the lived experiences and resistance strategies of disabled Indigenous individuals and communities. It explores how traditional healing practices, land-based spirituality, and collective activism reframe disability as a site of resilience and political agency. Each chapter offers a stand-alone contribution to understanding disability justice from the Global South, emphasizing intersectionality and Indigenous self-determination.This timely volume fills a significant gap in the literature by offering a culturally grounded, justice-oriented alternative to dominant disability discourses. It will appeal to scholars, practitioners, and students in disability studies, decolonial theory, public health, and social justice, as well as to activists and policymakers seeking inclusive frameworks rooted in local knowledge and lived realities.

This book offers a pioneering exploration of disability through Indigenous epistemologies and decolonial theory in Latin America. It challenges dominant Western biomedical and rights-based models by foregrounding relational ontologies, community-based care, and ancestral knowledge systems. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from anthropology, disability studies, Latin American studies, and political theory, the volume critically examines how colonial legacies shape structural exclusion and cultural representations of disability.Through ethnographic accounts, oral histories, and grassroots initiatives, the book highlights the lived experiences and resistance strategies of disabled Indigenous individuals and communities. It explores how traditional healing practices, land-based spirituality, and collective activism reframe disability as a site of resilience and political agency. Each chapter offers a stand-alone contribution to understanding disability justice from the Global South, emphasizing intersectionality and Indigenous self-determination.This timely volume fills a significant gap in the literature by offering a culturally grounded, justice-oriented alternative to dominant disability discourses. It will appeal to scholars, practitioners, and students in disability studies, decolonial theory, public health, and social justice, as well as to activists and policymakers seeking inclusive frameworks rooted in local knowledge and lived realities.

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the shifting landscape of disability rights and policies across two culturally rich and diverse continents. By adopting a multidisciplinary approach, the book integrates historical, cultural, socioeconomic, and technological perspectives on disability, providing readers with a broad understanding of the issues faced by disabled individuals in Asia and Africa. It examines the evolution of disability rights over time and the varying impacts of these changes on different communities. From traditional beliefs to modern societal structures, the book highlights how indigenous knowledge and local practices influence attitudes toward disability.A unique feature of the book is its focus on underexplored areas, such as the role of media in shaping disability narratives, the importance of sports in promoting social inclusion, and the rise of emerging technologies like AI and assistive devices in enhancing accessibility. By also focusing on grassroots movements, the growing influence of young advocates, and the need for sustainable future policies, the book not only reflects on past and present challenges but also offers forward-looking solutions. It serves as a vital resource for understanding how policy changes and cultural shifts can lead to more inclusive societies across Asia and Africa.