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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.