Building Connections Beyond Borders

For Newcomers with Disabilities in Sweden, networking is not an additional activity. It is central to how we learn, advocate and create opportunities for refugees and migrants with disabilities.

Newcomers with disabilities often experience several overlapping barriers. These may be connected to disability, migration status, language, poverty, inaccessible information and unfamiliarity with the systems of a new country. Some people also experience racism and xenophobia, including within spaces that are expected to promote equality and disability rights. 

No organisation can address these challenges alone. By building relationships with organisations of persons with disabilities, refugee-led organisations, humanitarian actors and international networks, we can exchange knowledge, strengthen our advocacy and make the experiences of newcomers with disabilities more visible. 

When newcomers with disabilities arrive in Sweden, they may not know which services are available or how to access them. Information about disability rights, healthcare, social protection, education and employment may not be available in an accessible format or a language they understand. 

Networking allows us to connect individuals with organisations and people who can provide relevant information or support. It also enables us to identify gaps affecting many members and turn individual experiences into collective advocacy priorities. 

Through collaboration, we can bring together different forms of expertise. Disability organisations understand disability rights and accessibility. Refugee- and migrant-led organisations understand displacement, asylum procedures, cultural barriers and the challenges of establishing a life in a new country. When these perspectives are combined, our work becomes more inclusive and effective. 

Networking also helps smaller organisations increase their visibility. Refugee- and migrant-led organisations may not have the same financial resources, staff or institutional access as larger organisations. Partnerships can create opportunities to participate in consultations, attend international meetings, contribute to research and influence policies. 

However, collaboration must be based on equality. Refugees and migrants with disabilities should not only be invited to share personal stories. They should be recognised as experts, partners and decision-makers. 

Digital networking has been especially important for Newcomers with Disabilities in Sweden. Online platforms allow us to communicate with organisations and advocates outside Sweden and to learn from experiences in other countries. 

This is particularly valuable when refugees and migrants with disabilities encounter xenophobia, exclusion or limited recognition within parts of the national disability movement. International connections provide alternative spaces where people can be heard, exchange strategies and build solidarity. 

Digital networking also makes participation possible for people who cannot travel because of disability, financial limitations, legal status or caring responsibilities. Online meetings, webinars, email groups and messaging platforms can connect people across countries at a relatively low cost. 

Digital participation is not automatically accessible, however. Organisations must consider captioning, sign-language interpretation, screen-reader compatibility, accessible documents, plain language, different time zones and the cost of internet access. Some members may also need support to use digital platforms safely and confidently. 

For us, digital networking is therefore both an opportunity and an accessibility responsibility.

One important part of our work is connecting experiences in Sweden with wider regional and international advocacy. 

Our engagement with the Global Network of Refugees with Disabilities has helped create connections with refugee advocates and organisations in different countries. These exchanges show that many of the barriers experienced in Sweden are also present elsewhere, although they may take different forms. 

Common concerns include inaccessible asylum and reception systems, difficulty obtaining official documentation, insufficient disability-related support, exclusion from humanitarian decision-making and limited funding for refugee-led organisations. 

Sharing these experiences strengthens our advocacy. A concern raised by one individual may initially appear to be an isolated problem. When organisations in several countries report similar experiences, it becomes clear that the issue may be structural and requires policy change. 

International networks also allow members to develop leadership skills. Refugees with disabilities can participate in webinars, facilitate discussions, contribute to reports and represent their communities in policy forums. These opportunities help move people from being viewed only as beneficiaries to being recognised as advocates and leaders.