Published by the National Center for PTSD at the Department of Veterans Affairs, this article describes the kinds of traumatic events refugees may experience. Research conducted includes measurement and screening for psychological distress, prevalence of PTSD, research on interventions, and challenges in improving outcomes. The intended audience for this paper is comprised of researchers, service providers, and helpers.
Resource Guide for Serving Refugees with Disabilities
Developed by the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, this comprehensive resource guide is intended for those serving refugees with disabilities.
This includes refugee resettlement staff, Mutual
Assistance Association staff, community advocates, and social service providers. It was created in an effort to increase understanding and exposure to the various services and programs available for those serving refugees with disabilities.
The guide is divided into sections: services for adults with disabilities, services for refugee children with disabilities, housing, assistive technology and more. Information included was based on input from focus groups, technical assistance requests, and surveys. Scenarios and stories about refugees with disabilities are included to illustrate individual experiences.
The guide was originally published in 2007. Some websites and phone numbers may have changed.
Church World Service (CWS)
Church World Service is a faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster.
Working with Persons with Disabilities in Forced Displacement
Developed by the UNHCR to guide staff in developing policies and practices that meet the needs of people with disabilities in forced displacement and protect them from discrimination. The brief report presents an overview of disability and chronic conditions, nondiscrimination and participation as keys to protection, key considerations, and key resources.
Working with Persons with Disabilities in Forced Displacement
Disability Inclusion: Translating Policy into Practice in Humanitarian Action
Report from the Women’s Refugee Commission detailing positive practices and ongoing challenges to promote disability inclusion across UNHCR’s and its partners’ work in multiple countries and multiple displacement contexts. The report provides lessons and recommendations for other organizations and the wider humanitarian community on engaging persons with disabilities at all levels of humanitarian work. It draws on consultations with over 700 displaced persons—including persons with disabilities, their families, and humanitarian staff—in eight countries. The report includes key protection concerns of people with disabilities, implementation of UNHCR guidance on disability, and institutionalizing disability inclusion across UNHCR operations. It also includes recommendations for advancing disability inclusion in humanitarian action. Report, factsheets, and discussion tool for fieldworkers available in multiple languages and an “easy read” format.
Disability Inclusion: Translating Policy into Practice in Humanitarian Action.
USCRI Serving Refugees With Disabilities
The Living with a Disability in the United States guidebook (no date) is an illustrated informational booklet in simple English, including a list of disability resources, for refugees and their families. The Serving Refugees with Disabilities guidebook (2007) is a companion resource for resettlement agencies and other service providers. (Scroll down to “Serving Refugees With Disabilities” subheading.) Provided by the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, a 501c(3) charitable organization.
USCRI Nutrition Resource Handouts
Refugees and immigrants often come to the United States from countries in which the food, diet, and health care systems are quite different from those found in the US. These handouts are designed to communicate basic nutrition information to refugees and immigrants in order to develop positive nutrition and lifestyle habits. Available in many languages: English, Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Farsi, French, Haitian, Hmong, Karen, Kirundi, Nepali, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Vietnamese. Provided by the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, a 501c(3) charitable organization.
USCRI Healthy Living Toolkit
Educates refugees, immigrants, resettlement agencies, clinics, community based organizations, and other service providers on refugee health issues. The toolkit presents material in a culturally appropriate manner and is intended to help health care-related professionals more effectively assist refugees and immigrants and reduce health disparities among these populations. Available in many languages: English, Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Farsi, French, Haitian, Hmong, Karen, Kirundi, Nepali, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Vietnamese.
CDC Lead Poisoning Prevention in Newly Arrived Refugee Children: Tool Kit
An increasing number of refugee children develop elevated blood lead levels after entering the United States. In response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Lead Poisoning Prevention Program in conjunction with the Office of Refugee Resettlement developed this tool kit. Included are modules for refugee resettlement workers and medical providers, along with resources for both.
CDC Lead Poisoning Prevention in Newly Arrived Refugee Children: Tool Kit.