Co-Creating Crisis Preparedness: Inclusive Field Exercises with Persons with Disabilities for Enhanced Risk Management

Effective risk management in crisis situations requires not only robust planning but also inclusive and realistic training scenarios. Yet, vulnerable populations, particularly persons with disabilities, are often excluded from practical crisis exercises. This study presents the development and implementation of a novel methodology for inclusive crisis preparedness, aiming to integrate individuals with functional impairments as active participants in scenario-based training. The methodology was developed through action research and co-creation involving researchers, municipal crisis managers, disability organizations, and individuals with lived experience of impairment. Drawing on human factors principles and universal design, the method was tailored to support inclusive planning, execution, and evaluation of role-based exercises. A full-scale field exercise was conducted in an urban setting, simulating a crisis scenario involving contaminated water, extended power outages, and suspected sabotage. Participants included crisis professionals from three municipalities, individuals with visual, cognitive, and mobility impairments, and researchers in observational and facilitative roles. The exercise revealed significant insights for risk management and inclusive emergency planning. Crisis professionals gained a deeper understanding of the specific needs and vulnerabilities of persons with disabilities, such as reliance on electricity for mobility aids, access to medication and special diets, and the need for clear, single-message communication. Participants with disabilities demonstrated resilience and mutual support, contributing valuable perspectives on barriers, coping strategies, and systemic shortcomings. The exercise also exposed a lack of existing methods, institutional readiness, and training among crisis professionals for engaging these groups effectively. In conclusion, inclusive crisis exercises offer a powerful tool for improving societal resilience and advancing risk management practices. By involving persons with disabilities as co-creators and contributors, preparedness efforts become more representative, actionable, and ethically grounded. The developed methodology provides a replicable framework for inclusive crisis training and should be further disseminated across emergency preparedness domains and policy development.

Keywords: disability, crisis preparedness, action research, crisis exercise, crisis scenario, communication.