Working with Refugees and Immigrants with Disabilities
Resource Guide for Serving Refugees with Disabilities
Among the tens of thousands of refugees who resettle in the U.S. each year, many have lived in poorer regions of the world where there is a high rate of disabilities, and many have fled situations where armed conflict and related injuries are common. Many of the refugees resettled in the U.S. have one or more disabilities. In the U.S. communities where refugees resettle, local organizations serving the disabled may not be aware of refugees’ presence or of their specialized needs. Local resettlement agencies that serve refugees often lack the capacity to assist disabled refugees in understanding their rights and in accessing support services available for disabled individuals in the United States.
USCRI builds resettlement communities’ capacity to better serve disabled refugees by researching, producing and disseminating information and materials and by providing technical assistance to help refugee service providers enhance orientation and case management services for disabled refugees.
Living with a Disability
Many refugees with disabilities have had little to no access to education, medical care, or rehabilitation prior to their arrival in the United States. Once they arrive in the U.S., refugees with disabilities can access treatment and care for their disability, receive education and training, and secure employment. They can become active participants in their new communities.
The Living with a Disability in the United States booklet is written as an information book for refugees with disabilities and their family. It was developed in an effort to increase knowledge of the laws and services available to people with disabilities. Funding for this project was provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement.