"I'm Ok Because I'm Alive": Understanding Socio-cultural Accessibility Barriers for Refugees with Disabilities in the US
Foad Hamidi, Zulekha Karachiwalla · 2022 · Proceedings of the 19th International Web for All Conference (W4A) · doi:10.1145/3493612.3520446
Summary
This qualitative study investigates the accessibility barriers faced by refugees with disabilities in the United States, drawing on interviews with six experts who serve refugee populations in Baltimore, Maryland. The research was conducted during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and is grounded in the social and human rights models of disability, which recognise that disability is shaped by structural barriers, negative attitudes, and intersecting categories of power including ethnicity, gender, and immigration status. The authors note that the global refugee population has doubled in the past decade to over 79 million forcibly displaced people, with up to 45% of Syrian refugee households in Jordan having at least one member with a disability. Many refugees acquire physical disabilities through violence, conflict, and dangerous journeys, while mental health challenges including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorders are widespread but frequently undiagnosed. The study explores three interconnected areas: the types of disabilities impacting refugees, the barriers they face in accessing health and disability resources, and the role that digital technologies currently play and could play in supporting this population. The participants included both service providers and individuals who had themselves arrived in the US as refugees, bringing a mix of professional and lived experience to the interviews.
Key findings
The study identified cultural factors and language barriers as the two most significant obstacles refugees with disabilities face in accessing services. Cultural stigma around disability — particularly cognitive disabilities and mental health — prevents many refugees from seeking diagnosis or treatment. Participants noted that stigma varies by culture and disability type: congenital disabilities may be viewed as punishment, while war-acquired injuries can carry less stigma. The term "mental health" itself carries negative connotations in many refugee communities, making culturally sensitive communication essential. Language barriers compound these issues at every level — from understanding insurance correspondence to communicating with healthcare providers. Participants reported that even when interpretation services exist, they are often underutilised by providers, and professional translation of health documents remains inadequate. Regarding technology, refugees already use smartphones extensively — WhatsApp, Google Translate, YouTube, and Zoom were identified as key tools for navigating services, maintaining social connections, and accessing health support. However, participants identified a shortage of applications specifically designed for refugees with disabilities and emphasised the need for multilingual, culturally appropriate digital health resources. Access to affordable internet connectivity and technology training were also flagged as critical gaps.
Relevance
This paper highlights a critically underserved population at the intersection of refugee status and disability — a combination that creates compounding barriers far beyond what either group faces alone. For accessibility practitioners, the findings underscore that accessible technology design must account for language diversity, cultural context, and varying levels of digital literacy. The research demonstrates that existing general-purpose apps like Google Translate and WhatsApp are already serving as de facto assistive technologies for refugees, suggesting opportunities to improve these tools' accessibility features and develop purpose-built alternatives. The study's emphasis on the disconnect between refugee services and disability services is a structural insight relevant to anyone designing inclusive systems. A key limitation is that the study interviewed service providers rather than refugees themselves — the authors plan participatory design workshops with refugee families as future work.
Tags: refugees · disability · mental health · cultural barriers · language access · healthcare accessibility · intersectionality · assistive technology
Standards referenced: Americans with Disabilities Act