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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
 APHA 2005
 
3162.0: Monday, December 12, 2005 - Board 8

Abstract #104737

Improving accessibility and services in domestic violence and sexual assault agencies for women with disabilities

Pamela A. Dickens, MPH1, Carol Nobles, MEd2, Carri Casteel, MPH, PhD3, and Kimberley Freire, MPH3. (1) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC Office on Disability and Health, FPG Child Development Institute, Campus Box 8185, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8185, 919-966-0871, pam_dickens@unc.edu, (2) NC Office on Disability and Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 8185, FPG Child Development Institute, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8185, (3) Injury Prevention Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 7505, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7505

Women with disabilities experience interpersonal violence and abuse at similar or greater rates than women without disabilities. In North Carolina, domestic violence and sexual assault (DV/SA) agencies do not always know how to accommodate clients with disabilities. In 2003, the North Carolina Office on Disability and Health (NCODH) launched Access For All, a project funded by the NC Governor's Crime Commission, in six NC counties to improve access to DV/SA services for women with disabilities (WWD). A total of 13 sites participated. Access for All included: 1) Accessibility reviews; 2) Barrier removal; and 3) Staff/volunteer training. Accessibility reviews involved a cross-disability team of women surveying the accessibility of each agency or shelter's building, communication channels, and printed or electronic information. The project coordinator developed a summary report of identified accessible features and barriers to access and assisted agencies to develop a plan of action to improve services. Grant funds enabled the agencies to purchase selective adaptive equipment. The Access for All team provided training to each agency's staff and volunteers regarding ways to provide disability-friendly services. A formative evaluation by the UNC Injury Prevention Research Center was conducted in year one. Follow-up indicated agencies completed most immediate and mid-range action plan items and many long-range items. Agencies added a statement of inclusiveness to their outreach materials. Additional details regarding this project's successes and challenges will be shared.

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

    Keywords: Disability, Access and Services

    Presenting author's disclosure statement:

    I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

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    The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA