Resource Library

Interpreter Screening Guide created by HEAL of Tri-County

To effectively support d/Deaf survivors of violence, having a diverse pool of skilled interpreters who understand trauma and specialized terminology is crucial. Interpreters must be mindful of their own power, privilege, and biases, and comprehend how trauma impacts communication and healing. HEAL of Tri-County has developed an Interpreter Screening Guide to aid victim service agencies in assessing the capabilities of interpreters they use for d/Deaf survivor services.

HEAL of Tri-County, a collaboration in southern New Jersey involving the Services Empowering Rights of Victims (SERV) program within Center For Family Services and The Arc Gloucester, is funded by the Office on Violence Against Women’s Disability Grant Program. This initiative enhances their agencies’ ability to support survivors of violence who are Deaf or living with disabilities. For more information, contact Maria Armstrong, Project Director, at maria.armstrong@centerffs.org.

Language Access Planning for Deaf People: A Toolkit

Research on victimization within the Deaf community suggests that Deaf individuals living in the United States have higher rates of domestic and sexual victimization than their hearing counterparts. Despite these higher rates of domestic and sexual violence, Deaf survivors face barriers that prevent them from getting help. When Deaf survivors reach out for services and support and their needs are not met, their experience of trauma is compounded by the very systems and services that are intended to help. Communication and cultural barriers are built into these systems because they were not designed specifically to meet the needs of Deaf victims and survivors.

This site contains links to various resources that have been developed to provide victim service providers and allied professionals with a process and practical strategies to remove barriers that prevent Deaf victims and survivors from accessing services and create more accessible and culturally responsive services. These resources will aid organizations in their planning for language access for Deaf people. Integrating language access throughout all aspects of your organization is essential for ensuring your organization can effectively serve Deaf survivors, victims, family members, and other people impacted by violence.

 

The Fundamentals of Language Access Webinar

The Fundamentals of Language Access Webinar Slideshow

• PowerPoint in English (PDF)

Working With Deaf Survivors Webinar

Working With Deaf Survivors Webinar Slideshow

• PowerPoint in English (PDF)

 

Working With Sign Language Interpreters Webinar

Nothing About Us Without Us: Centering the Movement Around Self-Advocates

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 organization 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.

 

Webinar: Disability, Aging, and the Unique Impact on Service Delivery

In honor of Elder Abuse Awareness month, Sandra Harrell, from Activating Change, discusses the unique dynamics of abuse experienced by two communities of older adults with disabilities: those who are formerly able-bodied and are aging into disability and those with early-acquired disabilities who are aging with disabilities. Sandra also discuss the barriers to services these survivor communities experience, as well as the implications for service providers.

Watch this webinar at your convenience.

Coalition Series Part 4: The Unmet Needs of Deaf Survivors

In the fourth webinar in this series, Deaf advocates described the diverse experiences Deaf survivors have with domestic and sexual violence and with getting help from mainstream, hearing victim service providers and systems. Common barriers were shared, with a focus on the barriers faced by Deaf survivors from marginalized communities, including Deaf Black, Indigenous, people of color, and trans survivors. Best practices for supporting Deaf survivors were also shared, including an overview of “for deaf, by deaf” advocacy.

Recording coming soon