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. Join us for this engaging conversation with Cindy Bentley, facilitated by Leah Green.
Domestic and sexual violence impact members of the Deaf community at high rates. Yet, many service providers are not prepared to address the needs of this community. Specifically designed for professionals working in domestic violence and sexual assault programs, law enforcement, and healthcare settings, this webinar will provide invaluable insights into the unique challenges experienced by Deaf survivors and strategies for better serving this community.
Join us for this informative and engaging presentation by DeAnna Swope, Senior Program Associate from Activating Change, and Roberta Eaton, Executive Director of Deaf DAWN.
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.
Join us for 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.
The U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report from 2012 states that “[P]ersons with disabilities remain one of the groups most at risk of being trafficked.”
Join us for our January webinar on Trafficking in the Lives of People with Disabilities to learn more about survivors with disabilities and Deaf survivors. We will be discussing how often and the common ways people with disabilities are trafficked, as well as the conditions that place people with disabilities at greater risk. We will also discuss the common barriers trafficked survivors face and how you can work to remove those barriers.
Each year, Deaf survivors/victims – especially those from communities of color – experience significant and persistent communication, cultural and other barriers to accessing hearing victim services. One of the greatest factors contributing to these barriers is the lack of qualified, trauma-informed sign language interpretation available to Deaf survivors. The lack of sign language interpretation in victim services for Deaf Survivors is an ongoing barrier out there, and directly because of that deaf survivors are unable to access hearing programs and systems.
Activating Change’s initiative, Sign Language Interpreting Service for Deaf Victims, addresses this gap by providing qualified, trauma-informed remote sign language interpretation services – using safe and secure technology – free of charge to victim service providers serving Deaf victims of crime. At this webinar, AC staff – Esther Fass and Nancy Smith – will provide an overview of the project, how to apply, and important dates. In addition, participants will be able to ask questions about participating in the project.
Nearly 71% of the United States does not have “for Deaf, by Deaf” advocacy services available to Deaf survivors of domestic and sexual violence and communication and cultural barriers commonly exist in hearing domestic and sexual violence programs for Deaf survivors. As a result, many Deaf survivors have nowhere to turn for help. To close these gaps, hearing allies must join with Deaf communities to advocate for change.
This webinar features two hearing allies who are working closely with and in Deaf communities – Amber Hodson, Empowerment Director at DeafHope and Nancy Smith, Executive Director of Activating Change – in conversation with Liam Esposito, a Deaf Project Director at Activating Change. We will explore their journeys toward allyship, including how they got started, the principles that guide their allyship, and practical suggestions other hearing advocates can take. Importantly, we will also discuss the importance of recognizing their own privilege and leveraging that privilege – which include access to information, funding, and connections to policymakers and funders – to support Deaf advocates and Deaf advocacy.
Join us for this conversation to get started on the path to allyship.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is from September 15 to October 15. As we celebrate the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latinx Americans, our End Abuse webinar highlights the importance of culturally responsive, accessible services for Deaf and Disabled survivors of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage.
Join Olga Trujillo of Activating Change, Renee Lopez – a disability rights advocate in Texas, and Aracelia Aguilar – an Empowerment Director at Deaf Hope, for a conversation on how advocates can better engage and support Latinx Deaf and Disabled survivors of violence.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Ensuring that your events and outreach materials are inclusive of people with disabilities and Deaf people is a key opportunity to reach potential survivors.
As organizations prepare to engage communities across the United States, join Activating Change for this informative virtual event. This webinar will explore strategies for ensuring your in-person and online events are accessible, welcoming, and inclusive.
This webinar is the second in a two-part series for prosecutors that provides essential information to reduce barriers and promote the prosecution of cases involving domestic and sexual violence against people with disabilities.
Providing effective accommodations and modifications to survivors with disabilities requires prosecutors to have knowledge of typical accommodations. It is also helpful for prosecutors to build relationships with disability providers in their community as this will help them to access those accommodations in a timely manner.
In part 2, Olga Trujillo of Activating Change and Jonathan Kurland of AEquitas, will review the range of needs survivors with disabilities may have in participating in a case involving gender-based violence against them and the accommodations prosecutors can provide. They will also identify the types of disability service providers that prosecutors can engage and partner with to help meet the needs of survivors with disabilities during the prosecution stage.
This webinar is the first in a two-part series for prosecutors that provides essential information to reduce barriers and promote the prosecution of cases involving domestic and sexual violence against people with disabilities.
In part 1, Olga Trujillo of Activating Change and Jonathan Kurland of AEquitas will explore the unique complexities of violence against people with disabilities and Deaf people, barriers to access to effective criminal justice responses for survivors with disabilities and Deaf survivors, and opportunities for change. This webinar will provide foundational information for prosecutors, including a deeper dive into disability, unique dynamics of domestic and sexual violence in the lives of people with disabilities, and specific tactics used by abusers.