The project we are working on aims to diagnose and understand the current situation and the type of assistance currently provided to refugees with disabilities, using Ukrainian war refugees as an example. Our research is based on a scientific approach that draws inspiration from the concept of “organizational field” as the unit of analysis. This means that we focus on important individuals and organizations that provide assistance to refugees with disabilities. 

Our research goal is to improve the organization of support for refugees with disabilities by gathering and sharing knowledge resulting from our research and identifying opportunities for practical improvement. We aim to achieve both scientific and social objectives to ensure that our findings have a tangible impact. 

To accurately diagnose the situation, we will conduct a comprehensive participatory study, which includes document analysis, expert opinions, 40 individual interviews with key social actors, as well as case studies and group interviews. This will deepen our sociological knowledge and allow us to formulate practical guidelines for real assistance to refugees with disabilities. 

The project is being carried out by Collegium Civitas in Warsaw in collaboration with the Research Institute for Quality of Life at the Romanian Academy of Sciences. This collaboration will allow us to strengthen our research capabilities and compare stakeholder actions in the metropolitan areas of Warsaw and Bucharest regarding support for war refugees. 

We expect that our research will contribute to increasing knowledge about the assistance provided to refugees with disabilities and provide practical guidelines that can improve such assistance. The project’s outcomes will include a research report, a toolkit with guidelines and best practices, as well as two scientific articles. They will be published on a dedicated website accessible to people with disabilities.