One Year Later: Reflections on Sustaining Services for Survivors with Disabilities During COVID-19

The past year has brought unprecedented challenges and evolving landscapes for all of us. For those who were already underserved – such as survivors with disabilities – COVID-19 amplified the barriers that exist to have their healing and justice support needs met, and further increased their experiences of isolation. Providers have leveraged their creativity, flexibility and relationships to adapt and ensure that survivors with disabilities were able to sustain services during this difficult time.

In this panel discussion, participants will hear from providers on the strategies they used to sustain services to survivors with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Panelists will also explore the enduring challenges survivors with disabilities face as this health crisis continues, and their hopes for the future.

People with Disabilities COVID-19 Survivor Impact Brief

The Center on Victimization and Safety hosted three listening sessions on COVID-19 and its impact on survivors with disabilities. From these listening sessions, we created a COVID-19 Survivor Impact Brief that summarize the issues and strategies that emerged.

Economic Justice for Survivors with Disabilities During COVID-19 and Beyond

Survivors with disabilities often face economic barriers to services and healing. They may live on a limited income (either due to sub-minimum wage, Social Security, or SSI) that restricts their ability to save money or spend on services. They may have limited housing and transportation options. This webinar will review some of the ways that survivors with disabilities are faced with economic challenges during COVID-19 and beyond, as well as provide strategies for overcoming barriers to ensure that survivors with disabilities can receive the services they need.

Advocacy Strategies for Ensuring Access to Services and Healthcare for Survivors with Disabilities During COVID-19 and Beyond

COVID-19 is disproportionately impacting survivors with disabilities. They are more likely to contract the virus, more likely to experience severe symptoms, and less likely to receive services, including advocacy services and health care. Now more than ever, these services provide a lifeline for survivors with disabilities and it is vital that access is maintained. In this webinar, Olga Trujilo from Caminar Latino and Kelly Israel from the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network will review strategies and best practices that advocates and people with disabilities can use to ensure access to services during COVID-19 and beyond.

Technology as a Tool for Advocacy: Accessible and Safe Use of Technology to Serve Survivors with Disabilities During COVID-19 and Beyond

COVID-19 is requiring programs to rapidly adapt their advocacy for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The creative use of technology to serve survivors creates an opportunity to develop an approach to advocacy that can benefit survivors with disabilities and Deaf survivors in the long term. As these adaptations are taking place, it is critical to ensure both the safety and accessibility of the tools being used. Thoughtful implementation of accessible technology now can permanently transform advocacy for survivors with disabilities and Deaf survivors. In this webinar, Rachel Gibson of the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s Safety Net Team will review best practices for using technology to ensure that it is safe, accessible, and confidential for all.