Who we are
What is REACH?
REACH is a partnership of individuals committed to understanding the experiences of refugee children with dis/abilities, their families and those that teach them. Beyond research alone, the REACH partnership seeks to find practical solutions to complex challenges in an effort to translate research into 'on the ground' practices that support improved participation in educational options during the migration process and beyond.
How did the REACH partnership form?
The REACH partnership began with a question. Do you have any ideas that you think might help? ... While at a small conference in Bulgaria (2017), participants were presented with the challenging realities children with dis/abilities and their caregivers were facing while seeking refuge from conflicts in Afghanistan, Syria and other conflicted parts of the world. At that time, the situation was acutely prevalent in the European context, with a large volume of refugees seeking support at local refugee reception sites throughout Europe. It was clear at that time, that a significant number of children and adults with notable dis/abilities were among the refugee population. Dispite the best efforts on the part of many, the needs of these refugees with dis/abilities were clearly not being met. Reports of abuse and neglect were relayed, as often these individuals were left on their own (out of necessity or circumstance) with little to no resources that could meet their individual complex needs. No one at the conference had answers but a promise was made to seek them.
It began with one, but soon grew as more and more individuals began to find each other in an effort to better understand (and ultimately support) refugee children with dis/abilities. Over time, the partnership has grown to include multidiciplanary international academic researchers, education practicioners, counselors, medical professionals, students, on the ground refugee support professionals, teachers and refugees themselves. Presently, the partnership consists of dedicated individuals from Canada, Turkey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, and the United States. The REACH partnership engages in numerous projects and activities, some funded by research granting agencies and others non-funded and supported completely through volunteers. In all projects, the focus remains to understand and support refugee children with disabilities. We seek to provide some answers where before, we had none.