Global Refugee Crisis

This essay explores the often-ignored historical intersections of forced migration and disability. This intersectional approach directs attention to understudied dimensions of how crossing inequalities of race, class, national origin, and ability can shape the experiences of subordinate groups in various ways. Disabled refugees and asylum seekers are the most economically and socially disadvantaged members of society. This displaced population is at heightened risk for abuse, exploitation, and violence. Through the conceptual frameworks of human rights, disability studies, and critical refugee studies, this paper looks the United Nations 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1981 International Year of the Disabled Person and their impact on contemporary policies toward refugees. By analyzing these historical policies, we can gleam insight into ways for improving resettlement policies and practices for disabled refugees in the contemporary moment.