Reimagining accessible refugee resettlement: A call for integrating reliable, rights-based disability data

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Disability Studies
• Humanitarian Affairs

Background:

• Displaced populations, including refugees, experience increased rates of physical and mental disabilities due to crises.
• Existing resettlement practices often fail to adequately address the needs of refugees with disabilities, leading to systemic inequities.
• Lack of reliable, disaggregated disability data hinders effective support and resettlement planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical need for improved disability data collection in refugee resettlement.
• To advocate for a rights-based, standardized approach to identifying and supporting refugees with disabilities.
• To propose actionable recommendations for enhancing current resettlement practices.

Main Methods:

• Community-based research across multiple U.S. states.
• Analysis of current data collection tools, such as the Significant Medical Conditions (SMC) form.
• Review of existing barriers to healthcare, assistive technology, and vocational services for refugees with disabilities.

Main Results:

• Current data collection methods, like the SMC form, do not systematically capture functional limitations or accommodation needs.
• Resettlement agencies and service providers are often unprepared to support refugees with disabilities due to data gaps.
• Inconsistent screening and a focus on diagnosis over function impede equitable resettlement.

Conclusions:

• A standardized, rights-based approach to disability data collection is essential for refugee resettlement.
• Recommendations include supplementing the SMC form with comprehensive disability questions and strengthening referral pathways.
• Accurate disability data is vital for immediate support, long-term integration, and ensuring equity for refugees with disabilities.