Service needs and service gaps among refugees with disabilities resettled in the United States

Abstract

Disabled refugees resettled in the U.S.A. have many unmet needs associated with gaps in-service delivery stemming from disconnections between refugee and disability service systems.

Traumatic Experiences and Mental Health Risk for Refugees

“…In addition to the risk factors that may be present, ensuring refugees receive the mental health services they need can be challenging. Often, refugees face barriers such as stigma [20], low access to or quality of services [21], low cultural competence of practitioners [22], or a lack of knowledge about how services work and how they can be helpful [21]. Data on refugee engagement with mental health referrals varies, with studies reporting low referral acceptance (37%; [23]) and others reporting greater success (e.g., 74%; [6] and 50%; [24]).…”

Occupational experiences of forced migrants: A scoping review

“…The search for paid employment was further complicated by the language and educational qualifications required for a variety of jobs in host societies (Smith, 2012;Smith, Stephenson & Gibson-Satterthwaite, 2013;Werge-Olsen & Vik, 2012;Whiteford, 2005). Engaging in productive occupations was particularly challenging for refugees living with disabilities (Mirza, 2012;Mirza & Heinemann, 2012). Limited opportunities for employment and a lack of advocacy resources stigmatised these refugees and labelled them as 'non-employable', driving them further away from paid employment and prompting a reliance on social assistance (Mirza).…”

Fostering Community-Academic Partnerships to Promote Employment Opportunities for Refugees with Disabilities: Accomplishments, Dilemmas, and Deliberations

“…Through targeted dialogues with stakeholders, we learned that existing refugee-and disability-focused employment programs were not meeting the needs of refugees with disabilities. For example, we found little to no evidence of efforts to make refugee-focused programs accessible through use of resources such as large print materials, sign language interpreters, and wheelchair-accessible locations [12]. We also found that few working-age refugees with disabilities had participated in disability-focused employment support services and programs available through the state Division of Rehabilitation Services [13]; in fact, most were unaware that work was a viable option for people with disabilities in the US.…”

“…To help refugees find employment, US resettlement agencies also offer English-language training, as well as job search and job placement services during the first few months after resettlement [11]. Disability-related supports, such as wheelchair-accessible locations, sign language interpreters, or access to disability-related work incentives, are seldom accommodated within this support system [12]. Furthermore, service providers may perceive refugees with disabilities as unemployable and consequently channel them toward welfare assistance rather than encouraging them to pursue income-generating opportunities [9].…”

“…Furthermore, service providers may perceive refugees with disabilities as unemployable and consequently channel them toward welfare assistance rather than encouraging them to pursue income-generating opportunities [9]. Refugees with disabilities may also be disconnected from mainstream support services [12]. For example, vocational rehabilitation (VR) constitutes a package of services available in every US state and territory to help people with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment.…”