Insufficient support for London's disabled asylum seekers

London, 14 November 2008 - Research released today by the Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees (ICAR) at City University London and Refugee Support/Metropolitan Support Trust (MST) has found that disabled refugees and asylum seekers in London are not receiving enough support from mainstream disability organisations, a number of whom are unclear about the rights and entitlements of these groups.

The research titled 'Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches', was commissioned by MST to examine the role of refugee community and mainstream disability organisations in supporting refugees and asylum seekers in London. The project focused on physical and sensory impairment because apart from mental health, there is a significant lack of research on disabled asylum seekers and refugees in the UK.

Asylum seekers in particular encountered the most barriers in accessing statutory services for health, housing and benefits. The barriers include language issues such as a lack of interpreters in doctors' surgeries and provision for the deaf and blind; and additional disadvantages experienced by women, such as addressing sensitive issues with GPs or dependence on husbands who, as the main asylum applicant, they rely on to resolve their status in the UK.

Neil Amas, Director of ICAR says: "The research shows there is a considerable support gap between the specialist refugee sector and mainstream disability sector. While Refugee Community Organisations (RCOs) play a huge role, their resources are overstretched so do not meet the needs of disabled asylum seekers and refugees."

Statutory providers such as local borough social services departments were found to be applying the law around care and support inconsistently or on occasion inappropriately particularly when dealing with disabled asylum seekers. All of the asylum seekers interviewed for the research had experienced difficulty in accessing the care they needed, when approaching their local social service department.

"Unless policy makers and service providers reach out to these groups and RCOs receive more funding and training, the needs of disabled asylum seekers and refugees will increasingly be overlooked."

Barbara Roche, Chair of Metropolitan Support Trust, says: "This research highlights the poor deal that refugees and, particularly asylum seekers face when seeking support and assistance. RCOs don't have the capacity to specialise in disability issues but are often the first port of call for refugees and asylum seekers; mainstream disability organisations don't see this group as a priority; and neither RCOs or mainstream disability groups have much of a relationship. There are lessons for the Home Office and social services departments too. We need to work together to do more and give fair access and support to all disabled people."

Refugee organisations specifically RCOs reported that mental health was the most common kind of disability among their refugee and asylum seeking service users. Although providing some support, RCOs were found to be under resourced and in some cases seen to have a lack expertise on disability issues.

Some of the barriers to accessing support experienced by disabled asylum seekers and refugees are shared by existing disabled populations in the UK, and in particular those from black and Asian minority ethnic groups. The findings also show asylum seekers and refused asylum seekers are especially vulnerable to poverty, hardship and associated mental health problems because of their circumstances, yet they still face exclusion from benefits and support.

Deputy Mayor of London, Richard Barnes, says: "It is important that all disabled Londoners are able to access the services to which they are entitled. If they are disabled refugees, access may often be especially difficult. Ensuring their full integration into the city's life means getting a better understanding of these refugees needs, and of ways of meeting their needs, through support services in the community, voluntary and statutory sectors."

The key policy recommendations include regular training for mainstream disability organisations, statutory services, UK Border Agency and RCOs on disability law and definitions, immigrants rights and entitlements and on the use of interpreters, a Home Office review of disability support for asylum seekers and refused asylum seekers and a review of existing data collection by organisations to improve the current lack of information on the needs of disabled asylum seekers and refugees.

The research is being launched at the Mayor's Office at City Hall on 14 November.

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