Untold Stories of Black and Racialized Immigrants with Disabilities During COVID-19 in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area

TL;DR

This study highlights how Black and racialized immigrants with disabilities in Canada faced increased healthcare barriers during the pandemic due to systemic racism and ableism.

Contribution

The paper provides new insights into the intersectional experiences of Black and racialized disabled immigrants during the pandemic in the GTHA.

Findings

Participants encountered systemic barriers in accessing health and rehabilitation services.

Pandemic policies worsened existing inequities for this population.

Informal and faith-based networks were crucial for navigating inaccessible systems.

Abstract

Background: Black and racialized immigrants with disabilities in Canada face overlapping systems of exclusion rooted in racism, ableism, and migration status. Yet, their experiences within health and rehabilitation services during the COVID-19 pandemic remain largely undocumented. This study explores how structural inequities shaped access to healthcare, rehabilitation, information, and community supports in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). Methods: Using narrative inquiry, ten in-depth interviews were conducted with participants who identified as Black or racialized, disabled, and having immigrated to Canada within the last 10 years. Narratives were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis to identify how systems, relationships, and policies interacted to shape daily life, health and rehabilitation navigation during the pandemic. Results: Participants described systemic barriers in health and rehabilitation systems, experiences of “othering” and conditional belonging, and the critical role of informal and faith-based networks in navigating inaccessible services. Pandemic policies often intensified existing inequities. Conclusions: Findings underscore the need for intersectional health and rehabilitation planning that centers the voices of Black and racialized disabled immigrants. Addressing systemic racism and ableism is essential for equitable preparedness in future public health emergencies.