Disability Prevalence and Community-Level Allocation of Hurricane Harvey Federal Disaster Recovery Assistance in Texas.

This article examines disparities in the allocation of federal disaster recovery assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following Hurricane Harvey in Texas, focusing on the role of community-level disability prevalence. Using zip code–level data and quantile regression analysis, the study found that communities with higher proportions of persons with disabilities, particularly those with hearing-related disabilities (deaf or hard of hearing), received significantly less FEMA direct-to-household assistance, with disparities widening among communities receiving greater overall funding. These findings highlight persistent inequities in disaster aid distribution despite federal mandates such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act requiring equal access and reasonable accommodations. The study underscores the need for improved data-driven monitoring and targeted policies to ensure equitable disaster recovery services for persons with disabilities.