A scoping review of resettlement and integration of refugees with disabilities

This scoping review synthesised studies on the integration and resettlement experiences of refugees with disabilities. The review also focused on the mechanisms and approaches used by refugees with disabilities and their families to achieve integration. The scoping review followed the standard methodological approach, including literature searches across five electronic databases: Web of Science, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flowchart illustrated the selection of articles. Mixed-method synthesis was used to incorporate both qualitative and quantitative findings. A total of 1541 studies were retrieved across all databases, 47 full-text studies were assessed, and 15 studies were included in the final synthesis. The included papers were limited to the top countries of resettlement, as reported by UNHCR, including Canada, the USA, Australia, and the UK. This review identified several formal (resettlement programs, health insurance, resettlement organisations, access to disability support, and access to specialist support) and informal (faith, peer support, community relationships, families, ethnic community, and cultural events) approaches to achieve integration for refugees with disabilities in resettlement countries. Further, the study identified systemic (organisational or environmental) and personal factors that hinder/challenge the integration and resettlement of refugees with disabilities. There is an increasing number of formal and informal support services that promote integration. However, there are complex bureaucracies in social support services in the resettlement countries. Governments are encouraged to prioritise the needs of refugees with disabilities. Specific attention should be given to disability-related services to promote the integration and resettlement of refugees with disabilities.