Twice invisible: The role and interventions of social workers with people with disabilities in wartime.

Abstract

Social workers are crucial in meeting the needs of people with disabilities (PWD) during wartime. However, there is no formal definition of their roles in emergencies, particularly relating to PWD, a gap that highlights the dual invisibility of both social workers and PWD. This qualitative study addresses this gap by analyzing the roles and interventions of social workers working with PWD during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Two online focus groups were conducted with ten social workers who provided support to PWD in the area bordering on Gaza. Data analysis revealed four themes: (1) heightened needs combined with inadequate services; (2) improvised solutions; (3) disability rights advocacy; and (4) managing both personal and professional challenges. These findings underscore the multifaceted role social workers play in responding to PWD in wartime. They also highlight the challenges social workers face in navigating the absence of PWD policies during wartime and the critical importance of measures for promoting disability-inclusive disaster response and recovery. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).