2.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered for this training.

Collaboration between professionals in the victim services and disabilities fields means better services and stronger support for crime victims who have disabilities. This 3-day training is designed for victim service providers, advocates for people with disabilities, self-advocates, and allied professionals. Using case studies and small group discussions, you will examine the prevalence of crime against people with disabilities, perceptions of the criminal justice system, tenets of the disabilities movement, and the impact of disabilities on daily life. Through collaborative activities you will identify ways the various agencies, organizations, and systems can work together to better serve crime victims with disabilities. Specific topics include–

• Understanding applicable laws and reporting requirements.
• Overcoming situational, personal, and communication challenges.
• Fostering multidisciplinary collaboration.

• Crime and Victims of Crime
  • Discuss the prevalence of crime in the United States.
  • Identify two major resources that are used as indicators of crime.
  • Identify key issues impacting victims of crime and specifically issues impacting crime victims with disabilities.
• Applicable Laws and Concepts
  • Cite the laws that apply to victims of crime and people with disabilities.
  • Describe the purpose of Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  • Explain the concepts of universal design and universal access.
• Identifying Common Ground
  • Identify professional roles in the crime victim and disability service professions.
  • Discuss the principles and values shared by crime victim service providers and disability service providers and advocates.
  • Identify other organizations that work with crime victim service providers and disability service providers and advocates.
• Overcoming Situational Challenges
  • Explain the importance of an accessible and supportive space for victims of crime.
  • Identify ways to overcome agency challenges when supporting victims of crime who have disabilities.
  • Identify ways to overcome systemic challenges when supporting victims of crime who have disabilities.
• Overcoming Personal Challenges
  • Recognize how privilege and prejudice affect attitude.
  • Recognize how your own value systems influence your attitudes and impact your work.
  • Explain the importance of self-reflection, especially as it applies to supporting crime victims with disabilities.
• Overcoming Communication Challenges
  • List several guidelines for interacting effectively with crime victims.
  • List several guidelines for interacting effectively with people with disabilities.
  • Identify ways to meet specific complex communication needs.
  • Explain how to interact with service animals.
• Reporting Requirements and Confidentiality Issues
  • Explain general reporting requirements under Adult Protective Services (APS) laws.
  • Describe reporting requirements in their states.
  • Explain why confidentiality issues can be problematic.
• Collaborating for Maximum Impact
  • Explain the benefits and challenges of collaborating with other organizations to support more effectively victims of crime with disabilities.
  • Explain the purpose of a multidisciplinary cross-system team.