Resources

Nothing About Us Without Us — Centering the Movement Around Self-Advocates

Nothing about us without us is a common phrase used in the disability rights movement to mean nothing should be created for a community without the meaningful participation of that …
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Nothing About Us Without Us — Centering the Movement Around Self-Advocates

Nothing about us without us is a common phrase used in the disability rights movement to mean nothing should be created for a community without the meaningful participation of that community. Self-advocates have been leaders in the disability rights movement for years and are increasingly expanding their work in the survivor advocacy field. They have the wisdom and life experience to know how to dismantle ableism and best support victims of crime with disabilities, if only we listen.

This webinar, aimed at survivor advocacy organizations and disability service providers, will provide an overview of the participation of self-advocates at the intersection of violence and disability. The self-advocates on the panel will discuss the essential role self-advocate leaders must play if we want to end gender-based violence. Watch this engaging conversation with Cindy Bentley, facilitated by Leah Green.
Understanding Violence in the Lives of People with Disabilities: The Impact of Racism and Ableism

Research has shown that some people with disabilities experience an increased risk of domestic and sexual violence compared to people without disabilities and that those who do experience such violence …
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Understanding Violence in the Lives of People with Disabilities: The Impact of Racism and Ableism

Research has shown that some people with disabilities experience an increased risk of domestic and sexual violence compared to people without disabilities and that those who do experience such violence reported a larger number of perpetrators and a greater duration of violence. When survivors with disabilities reach out for healing services, they often face barriers and ineffective assistance. The causes of these high rates of violence and the barriers faced by survivors with disabilities are rooted in systemic oppression. This webinar will explore domestic and sexual violence in the lives of people with disabilities and how our society creates the conditions for abuse in this community. In particular, our presenters will discuss how racism and ableism intertwine to marginalize and dehumanize people with disabilities. The webinar will provide foundational information we will build on throughout the year as we continue to explore some of the particular areas of interest at the intersection of violence and disability.

Watch this insightful webinar, as our guest Cierra Olivia Thomas Williams, and Olga Trujillo, Director of Leadership Development and Collective Healing with Activating Change explore the unique dynamics of violence in the lives of people with disabilities. This will include a focus on what you can do to help make your program and community more accessible.

Activating Change
Interpreter Screening Guide created by HEAL of Tri-County

To effectively support d/Deaf survivors of violence, having a diverse pool of skilled interpreters who understand trauma and specialized terminology is crucial. Interpreters must be mindful of their own power, …
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Interpreter Screening Guide created by HEAL of Tri-County

To effectively support d/Deaf survivors of violence, having a diverse pool of skilled interpreters who understand trauma and specialized terminology is crucial. Interpreters must be mindful of their own power, privilege, and biases, and comprehend how trauma impacts communication and healing. HEAL of Tri-County has developed an Interpreter Screening Guide to aid victim service agencies in assessing the capabilities of interpreters they use for d/Deaf survivor services.

HEAL of Tri-County, a collaboration in southern New Jersey involving the Services Empowering Rights of Victims (SERV) program within Center For Family Services and The Arc Gloucester, is funded by the Office on Violence Against Women’s Disability Grant Program. This initiative enhances their agencies’ ability to support survivors of violence who are Deaf or living with disabilities. For more information, contact Maria Armstrong, Project Director, at maria.armstrong@centerffs.org.
Language Access Planning for Deaf People: A Toolkit

Research on victimization within the Deaf community suggests that Deaf individuals living in the United States have higher rates of domestic and sexual victimization than their hearing counterparts. Despite these …
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Language Access Planning for Deaf People: A Toolkit

Research on victimization within the Deaf community suggests that Deaf individuals living in the United States have higher rates of domestic and sexual victimization than their hearing counterparts. Despite these higher rates of domestic and sexual violence, Deaf survivors face barriers that prevent them from getting help. When Deaf survivors reach out for services and support and their needs are not met, their experience of trauma is compounded by the very systems and services that are intended to help. Communication and cultural barriers are built into these systems because they were not designed specifically to meet the needs of Deaf victims and survivors.

This site contains links to various resources that have been developed to provide victim service providers and allied professionals with a process and practical strategies to remove barriers that prevent Deaf victims and survivors from accessing services and create more accessible and culturally responsive services. These resources will aid organizations in their planning for language access for Deaf people. Integrating language access throughout all aspects of your organization is essential for ensuring your organization can effectively serve Deaf survivors, victims, family members, and other people impacted by violence.

The Fundamentals of Language Access Webinar

The Fundamentals of Language Access Webinar Slideshow

PowerPoint in English (PDF)
Nothing About Us Without Us: Centering the Movement Around Self-Advocates

Nothing about us without us is a common phrase used in the disability rights movement to mean nothing should be created for a community without the meaningful participation of that …
Continue reading "Nothing About Us...

<< Back

Nothing About Us Without Us: Centering the Movement Around Self-Advocates

Nothing about us without us is a common phrase used in the disability rights movement to mean nothing should be created for a community without the meaningful participation of that community. Self-advocates have been leaders in the disability rights movement for years and are increasingly expanding their work in the survivor advocacy field. They have the wisdom and life experience to know how to dismantle ableism and best support victims of crime with disabilities, if only we listen.

This webinar, aimed at survivor advocacy organization and disability service providers, will provide an overview of the participation of self-advocates at the intersection of violence and disability. The self-advocates on the panel will discuss the essential role self-advocate leaders must play if we want to end gender-based violence. Join us for this engaging conversation with Cindy Bentley, facilitated by Leah Green.

Activating Change
Webinar: Disability, Aging, and the Unique Impact on Service Delivery

In honor of Elder Abuse Awareness month, Sandra Harrell, from Activating Change, discusses the unique dynamics of abuse experienced by two communities of older adults with disabilities: those who are …
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Webinar: Disability, Aging, and the Unique Impact on Service Delivery

In honor of Elder Abuse Awareness month, Sandra Harrell, from Activating Change, discusses the unique dynamics of abuse experienced by two communities of older adults with disabilities: those who are formerly able-bodied and are aging into disability and those with early-acquired disabilities who are aging with disabilities. Sandra also discuss the barriers to services these survivor communities experience, as well as the implications for service providers.

This webinar took place on June 27. The recording and materials will be available soon.

Activating Change
Coalition Series Part 4: The Unmet Needs of Deaf Survivors

In the fourth webinar in this series, Deaf advocates described the diverse experiences Deaf survivors have with domestic and sexual violence and with getting help from mainstream, hearing victim service …
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Coalition Series Part 4: The Unmet Needs of Deaf Survivors

In the fourth webinar in this series, Deaf advocates described the diverse experiences Deaf survivors have with domestic and sexual violence and with getting help from mainstream, hearing victim service providers and systems. Common barriers were shared, with a focus on the barriers faced by Deaf survivors from marginalized communities, including Deaf Black, Indigenous, people of color, and trans survivors. Best practices for supporting Deaf survivors were also shared, including an overview of “for deaf, by deaf” advocacy.

Recording coming soon
Freedom Dreaming: Envisioning Healing Communities for Survivors with Disabilities and Deaf Survivors

During this webinar, Tarana Burke – the founder of the Me Too movement – and Najma Johnson – the co-founder of Together All in Solidarity – engaged in an intimate …
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Freedom Dreaming: Envisioning Healing Communities for Survivors with Disabilities and Deaf Survivors

During this webinar, Tarana Burke – the founder of the Me Too movement – and Najma Johnson – the co-founder of Together All in Solidarity – engaged in an intimate conversation about their respective experiences working in the anti-violence movement and how we can apply the practice of Freedom Dreaming to building a more inclusive and accessible movement.

Recording coming soon
Coalition Series Part 2: Connecting to the Broader Context

In the second webinar in this series, Deaf leaders unpacked some of the critical experiences, dynamics, and concepts shared during the first session and tie them to the broader societal …
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Coalition Series Part 2: Connecting to the Broader Context

In the second webinar in this series, Deaf leaders unpacked some of the critical experiences, dynamics, and concepts shared during the first session and tie them to the broader societal context and the experiences of Deaf survivors. Deaf culture, cultural transmission, language deprivation and more will be explored.
Coalition Series Part 3: Exploring Your Role: Learning from the Paths and Actions of Hearing Advocates

In the third webinar in this series, hearing allies who have worked closely with and in Deaf communities shared their respective journeys. They discussed how they have accounted for their …
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Coalition Series Part 3: Exploring Your Role: Learning from the Paths and Actions of Hearing Advocates

In the third webinar in this series, hearing allies who have worked closely with and in Deaf communities shared their respective journeys. They discussed how they have accounted for their privileges and used them, including their access to information, funding, and connection to policymakers and funders (among others), to support Deaf advocates and Deaf advocacy.

Recording coming soon