Resources

Guardianship Essentials: Scenarios, Solutions, and Strategies

Guardianship is a factor in the lives of adult survivors with disabilities that would not be a factor for adult survivors without disabilities. For some adults with disabilities, the courts …
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Guardianship Essentials: Scenarios, Solutions, and Strategies

Guardianship is a factor in the lives of adult survivors with disabilities that would not be a factor for adult survivors without disabilities. For some adults with disabilities, the courts have appointed replacement decision-makers in their lives, having deemed them incapable of making some critical decisions. The presence of a guardian can cause advocates to hesitate to provide services, being unsure how to navigate consent to services, releases of information, and confidentiality when a guardian is in play.

In this webinar we offered foundational information on the basics of guardianship of adults with intellectual disabilities. This included types of guardianship, who guardians are, and the timing and scope of guardianship for adults. We then explored together a few scenarios based on real situations and played “what would you do?” Finally, we offered solutions and paths forward to help service providers better plan for their policies and procedures on guardianship. Watch this informative webinar led by Jannette Brickman of Activating Change.
Partnering to Bridge the Gaps

No one organization offers all the services survivors with disabilities need in the after-math of violence or possesses all the expertise needed to provide those services in a way that …
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Partnering to Bridge the Gaps

No one organization offers all the services survivors with disabilities need in the after-math of violence or possesses all the expertise needed to provide those services in a way that is both trauma and disability-informed. There is little chance that funding is forthcoming to create the type of organization that could handle the full range of services. That’s why victim services and disability organizations across the country are forging collaborations, expanding their understanding of survivors’ needs and combining their resources to create a system of services that is more complete and integrated and that better meets the needs of survivors with disabilities.

For October, we examined how these organizations have come together to bridge the gaps in services for survivors with disabilities and Deaf survivors. We explored how they’ve been able to work through differences in values and approaches to build lasting relationships between their organizations. And, we highlighted some of the promising practices emerging from their work together. Watch this exciting webinar, presented by Sandra Harrell of Activating Change.
Using Plain Language to Enhance Trauma-Informed Practices

Plain language is a style of writing that is meant to be accessible to many people, especially people with intellectual disabilities. In this webinar, we discussed plain language and its …
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Using Plain Language to Enhance Trauma-Informed Practices

Plain language is a style of writing that is meant to be accessible to many people, especially people with intellectual disabilities. In this webinar, we discussed plain language and its importance to survivors with disabilities and survivors in crisis. Together we explored how plain language impacts trauma-informed practices and survivor outcomes. We focused on strategies for communicating using plain language, with examples and time for practice. Lastly, we explored tools to check for plain language within written documents. Watch this interactive and practical webinar presented by Aquia Pusch from Activating Change.
Unpacking and Combatting the Infantilization of People with Intellectual Disabilities

Infantilization – the practice of treating adults with intellectual disabilities as children – is a widespread issue that undermines independence and dignity of people with disabilities. It is also one …
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Unpacking and Combatting the Infantilization of People with Intellectual Disabilities

Infantilization – the practice of treating adults with intellectual disabilities as children – is a widespread issue that undermines independence and dignity of people with disabilities. It is also one reason why people with disabilities experience higher rates of victimization than people without disabilities and it is at the root of why many survivors of domestic and sexual violence with intellectual disabilities report not getting the support they need from victim services programs.

In this interactive webinar, we explored the deep-rooted connections between societal attitudes and the treatment of adults with intellectual disabilities. We defined and examined the concept of infantilization, explored its presence at the social, organization, and personal level. Together we explored real-world examples that show how infantilization manifests and impacts individuals’ lives. Lastly, we discussed how programs and individuals can recognize and challenge these harmful tendencies and create supportive programs that respect and value adults with intellectual disabilities.

Watch this engaging session led by Sherice Smith, a professional and self-advocate with over 20 years of experience in the disability field, and Leah Green, a Senior Program Associate at Activating Change. Together, we can challenge stereotypes, reshape practices, and ensure that adults with intellectual disabilities are seen and valued as the adults they are.
Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth with Disabilities

LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to be disabled than non-LGBTQ+ youth, complicating and compounding the discrimination and violence they experience. The National LGBTQ Institute on Intimate Partner Violence, in collaboration …
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Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth with Disabilities

LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to be disabled than non-LGBTQ+ youth, complicating and compounding the discrimination and violence they experience. The National LGBTQ Institute on Intimate Partner Violence, in collaboration with Activating Change, presented a webinar on how to best serve LGBTQ+ youth with disabilities. This webinar started with foundational information about sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, then dived deep into the barriers LGBTQ youth with disabilities experience in receiving support and services.

Watch this insightful webinar presented by Keilani Garcia.
Recognizing Mental Health Concerns Co-occurring With DVSA

There is a deep and tangled connection between the trauma of domestic and sexual violence and mental health disabilities. In this webinar, we untangled this connection while providing practical answers to …
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Recognizing Mental Health Concerns Co-occurring With DVSA

There is a deep and tangled connection between the trauma of domestic and sexual violence and mental health disabilities. In this webinar, we untangled this connection while providing practical answers to supporting survivors with mental health concerns. We focused on the impacts of mental health disabilities alone, and then took a closer look at the impact of trauma on these disabilities. Together we discussed how to adapt trauma-informed practices to meet the needs of survivors with mental health disabilities. Watch this exciting webinar, presented by MeLisa Dennis, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with extensive experience providing mental health and domestic violence services.
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)

Working With Deaf Survivors Webinar

Working With Deaf Survivors Webinar Slideshow

PowerPoint in English (PDF)