Article

PURPOSE: To examine the adequacy of existing service systems in addressing the
needs of refugees with disabilities resettled in the U.S.A. METHODS: A
cross-disability group of eight Cambodian and seven Somali refugees were
purposively selected to participate in a 2-year qualitative study in the
Midwestern U.S.A. Ten disability/refugee service providers and key experts on
refugee resettlement were also recruited to participate. Data sources included
in-depth interviews, focus groups, participant observations and social network
surveys with disabled refugees. Participant observations and semi-structured
interviews were also conducted with service providers and key experts. Data were
analyzed using coding procedures based on a grounded theory approach. RESULTS:
Disabled refugee participants experienced several unmet disability-related needs
and limited access to resettlement resources on account of their disability.
These findings were associated with refugee service providers having limited
awareness of disability rights and resources and a narrow biomedical perspective
of disability. Additionally there was a disconnection between refugee and
disability service systems resulting from resource limitations within agencies,
mistrust between the different service entities, and a lack of cross-cultural
nuance among disability service organizations. These findings contribute
important insights to the literature on disability disparities. CONCLUSIONS:
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.

Langue : ANGLAIS