Supporting newcomers with disabilities requires understanding both the resettlement process and the disability-related systems and services available in the United States. This information guide offers foundational information for providers who help support newcomers with disabilities in navigating rights, services, and community resources in the United States. The guide explains disability rights, accommodations, and services. It also shares practical tips for providing resources to and advocating for clients with disabilities.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- How to ask about disability-related access needs as a routine part of intake — without requiring a diagnosis or asking clients to self-identify
- Why a function-and-access approach catches needs that medical screening misses
- Social, cultural, and linguistic barriers that shape whether a client seeks support
- What the ADA protects, and how nondiscrimination rights differ from eligibility for a specific benefit
- Common accommodations, and how to use a trauma-informed approach when discussing disability-related needs
- How to address language access and disability-related communication needs separately
- An orientation to disability services and benefits — Medicaid, SSI and SSDI, transportation, assistive technology, vocational rehabilitation, and more
- How to support caregivers through the U.S. special education process, including referral, evaluation, and the IEP
- How to build a local referral network and make warm hand-offs that actually land
- “Provider Practice” takeaways throughout, plus additional resources and key terms
