IOTI - Justice Equity, and Access

Project Details

Project Context:
Individuals with disabilities are more likely to be victims of sexual assault. They also experience more intense abuse over a longer period of time. Victims with disabilities are usually not knowledgeable of risk reduction or victim services and may have difficulty accessing these services because of physical, programmatic and attitudinal barriers. Crime victims with and without disabilities often experience serious long term psychological and physical difficulties.

Project Goals:
1. People with disabilities will increase their understanding of violence prevention strategies.
2. Individuals with disabilities will improve their knowledge of victim services.
3. People with disabilities will increase their understanding of advocating for their rights.
4. Law enforcement/legal advocates will improve their knowledge of how to effectively communicate with, interact with, accommodate and assist people with disabilities.
5. Law enforcement / legal advocates will increase their knowledge of the response to trauma.
7. Develop and disseminate fact sheets for the two populations on these topics.
8. Complete process and outcome evaluations to continuously improve training.

Project Services:
The project is targeting two groups: people with disabilities and law enforcement. Two separate trainings will occur statewide in at least ten locations.

Expected Benefits:
The expected outcomes of the training for law enforcement are to positively change attitudes, increase understanding and appropriate behaviors towards people with disabilities, improve interaction and communication techniques, increase awareness and actions regarding hidden disabilities, improve accessibility and accommodations, and increase knowledge of disability resources.

The expected outcomes for people with disabilities are to increase their knowledge and skills regarding safety planning, recognizing warning signs, accessing victim services, acting assertively, and connecting to the community, leading to reduced incidences of abuse and violence with improved justice, equity and access to victim services as well as increased safety, empowerment, self advocacy and community inclusion.