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Accessibility Improvement Resources
21 Tips for Accessibility
- Resource available for staff to download.
- Aimed at improving the accessibility of materials.Advocate Guides to Safety Planning
- Specific guides for the deaf community and individuals with hearing loss.
- Guide also available for survivors with disabilities.
Revamped Safety Planning Documents
Enhancements to Safety Plans
- Acknowledges that traditional safety plans often consist of just text on paper.
- Advocates should engage with individuals to create personalized safety plans.
- Materials redesigned for visual accessibility with supportive images and plain language.
- Includes specific considerations for individuals with disabilities.
- Questions around auxiliary aids for abrupt exits.
- Safety of such aids when leaving a dangerous situation.
Support Contact Kit
Development of the Support Contact Kit
- Designed specifically for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Recognizes that many reside in group homes and attend day programs.
- Emphasizes the lack of private help; individuals may feel uncomfortable relying on caregivers.
- Kit serves as a guide for having private conversations regarding safety and privacy.
- Avoids explicit mentions of abuse to keep it general and non-threatening.
- Includes door hangers to reinforce privacy among residents.
Empowerment and Control
Control Issues in Group Homes
- Residents often have little control, governed by strict schedules and rules.
- Anecdote of an individual's desire to choose meal times reflects broader concerns over autonomy.
- Goal of victim services is to empower individuals to make choices.
- Converts the oppressive experience of group home rules into a focus on personal agency and autonomy.
Communication and Support for Survivors
Educating Staff
- Stress on trauma-informed approaches towards survivors disclosing abuse.
- Focus on guidelines that respect survivor autonomy within legal and agency constraints.Plain Language Visual Materials
- Development of tools for individuals who struggle with reading, especially in emotional contexts.
- Examples include a feeling good kit that utilizes techniques like deep breathing.
- Success stories around such materials validate the effectiveness of these resources.
Medical Forensic Exam Picture Guide
Adaptation of Existing Resources
- Collaboration with forensic nurse coordinators for a county-specific guide.
- Visual plain language steps illustrating the process of a medical forensic exam.
- Useful for survivors unfamiliar with medical procedures following trauma.
Access to Serve Internal Site
Development of Central Repository
- Information streamlined for ease of access for staff across agencies.
- Ensures easy access to policies, tools, and resources.Auxiliary Aid Reservation System
- Provided access to essential communication tools and resources across agency locations.
- Clients can receive support for specific needs, such as amplification devices or communication boards.
Interactive FAQ Guide
Development Goals
- Designed to address common questions about violence against people with disabilities and effective ways to support them.
- Organized for easy navigation within the repository to facilitate quick responses.
ASL Curriculum for Staff
ASL Training Development
- Four-session curriculum tailored for victim service staff, particularly in safe house settings.
- Session 1: Fingerspelling, alphabet, introductions, emotions.
- Session 2: Emergency communication terms for deaf survivors.
- Session 3: Vocabulary related to people, places, and time.
- Session 4: Conversations pertinent to safe house environments.
- Positive feedback received during the soft launch indicates effectiveness.
Infrastructure for Deaf Survivor Access
Establishment of Specific Programs
- Focuses on giving deaf survivors choice in advocacy, either through deaf or hearing advocates with interpreters.
- Clear referral processes ensure confidentiality and informed decisions.Specialized Outreach Materials
- Revised role expectations for deaf advocates, along with aim to reduce miscommunication.
- Facilitates survivor engagement, informed consent, and enables clearer support through legal and medical systems.
Community Engagement and Training for Law Enforcement
Presentations for Law Enforcement
- Created one-hour training sessions addressing unique needs of deaf survivors.
- Focuses on effective communication and the complexities of working with interpreters.Resources for Serving Survivors with IDD
- Specialized presentations to address distinct barriers faced by this demographic, including communication methods.Accommodations Tip Sheets
- Distributed across various supportive community sectors, including law enforcement and court systems.
- QR codes link to online trainings for further education.