Referral support for Afghan refugees living with disability
Maryam’s* parents are refugees from Afghanistan living in Iran, and are both living with a disability. Her mother is hearing impaired and her father lost his sight due to a chronic disease. Her father is unable to work and cannot provide for the family any longer.
When Maryam came to us for a consultation, she mentioned her regret that she had had to quit school early. Our rehabilitation social worker pointed her to the social welfare organization, encouraging her to pay them a visit, explain her situation and ask for a letter of approval and discount to attend the adult school of educational reintegration.
A few days later Maryam called and said that not only did she receive the necessary letter, but that they had opened a file for her mother and would provide an ear check-up and maybe even hearing aids.
Counselling and referring people to specific places is one of the Disabled Afghan Refugee Project’s key activities. Spreading knowledge of where refugees with a residential card can get support is central to helping them move towards stability and a brighter future.
* names changed