Disabled refugees
Apart from in the specific field of mental health, there is a significant lack of research on disabled asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. What little does exist, together with anecdotal evidence, indicates that this is a largely „hidden‟ population, unknown in size and need, which faces particular and often multiple disadvantages. In particular, there appears to be a gap in knowledge about asylum seekers and refugees with physical or sensory impairments or learning difficulties.
The two main pieces of work so far on disabilities amongst refugee and asylum-seeking communities were carried out by Ceri Roberts and Jennifer Harris (2001, 2002a) and the Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees (ICAR) (Ward, Amas and Lagnado 2008 ). The first study examined a number of aspects, including the numbers and social characteristics of disabled refugees and asylum seekers in Britain; their needs and experiences; the experiences of service providers; and the impact of changes in social welfare entitlements (Robert and Harris 2002a). The more recent work by ICAR focussed specifically on service provision in London for those with physical disabilities.
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Last Updated: 26/01/10
