By proactively developing and implementing policies that promote equal access, inclusion, and autonomy, staff will be prepared to address the unique realities of survivors with disabilities. Important policy areas to address include: service eligibility, asking about and providing accommodations, offering flexible services, service animals, and working with individuals who are not their own guardians.
Resources You Can Use
- VIBS Confidentiality Policy. The Victim Information Bureau of Suffolk County Family Violence and Rape Crisis Center (VIBS) created this policy to outline their position on confidentiality and to guide staff on how to maintain confidentiality and inform clients of limits to confidentiality.
- VIBS Mandatory Reporting Policy. VIBS created this policy to guide staff on how to inform clients of their legal mandates to report abuse and how to balance client needs and preferences with the organization’s legal responsibilities.
- VIBS Accommodation Policy. This policy outlines how clients and employees/volunteers can request accommodations and provides information on how to meet accommodation requests.
- VIBS Guardianship Policy. VIBS developed this policy to guide staff practice in working with survivors with disabilities who have a guardian.
- Victims/Survivors Who Use Service Animals: An Updated Background Paper and Sample Program Policy for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Programs. Developed by the Violence Against Women with Disabilities and Deaf Women Project of Wisconsin, this paper provides guidance to and sample policy language for domestic violence and sexual assault organizations on serving survivors with disabilities who use service animals.
- Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA. This Department of Justice document further explains how the ADA’s service animal provisions apply to covered entities and people with disabilities.