Navigating the system : a comparison of vulnerability assessment tools for asylum seekers with disabilities

Abstract

The field of asylum seekers with disability is a very under researched area. In this literature based dissertation we investigated the tools that professionals such as social workers can use to as a support in the field in order to identify this group of clients. It was concluded that currently there is no specific tool or assessment that addresses the special needs of asylum seekers with disability. However, during the research we encounter that there are two holistic tools, the Special Needs and Vulnerability Assessment and the Vulnerability Screening Tool that are currently available to the public that can identify person. The SNVA tool is currently used by the European Union Agency for Asylum in the efforts to support the different Member States. The literature review highlighted that for many, asylum seekers with disability are not an interesting topic to perform research upon, and the existing studies are very limited. Most of the studies focus on vulnerability rather than in a particular field, and when research disability focus rather more in mental health only. This is a disadvantage for the social workers placed in the field, since they feel that there is not enough support to assist the service users. The methodology used to analyse these two tools consisted in contrasting the SNVA and VST by separating them in topics and comparing what they have in common and their differences. After that an analysis was made. From there we concluded that disability unlike other vulnerabilities is not looked further after either assessment takes place. Other vulnerabilities such as being a minor or pregnant women are further evaluated, and more support is offered for these client groups. In addition, current policies do address the fact of being a minor or have services that cater for the needs of pregnant women, domestic based violence and other vulnerabilities. The most affected by this lack of interest in the field are the asylum seekers with disabilities since services and policies do not adapt to their needs, making their long stay in the host country an unfruitful one. Furthermore, since they have very little rights due to their migration status they are marginalised and forgotten.