June 19 2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STATES WITH "FOR DEAF, BY DEAF" PROGRAMS • California (multiple programs) • Colorado • District of Columbia • Georgia • Illinois (multiple programs) • Iowa • Indiana • Massachusetts • Minnesota • New York (multiple programs) • Ohio (multiple programs) • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Washington • Wisconsin The majority of these programs are stand-alone organizations with most addressing domestic violence and only a few addressing both domestic and sexual violence or sexual assault alone. Some programs are run out of general Deaf service organizations and, in a few instances, housed in a hearing victim services organization. Regardless of their configuration, these programs provide the Deaf community with critical victim services - emergency hotlines, crisis intervention, individual advocacy (including medical and legal), counseling and other supportive services, peer support opportunities, and community outreach and education, tailored to meet their unique cultural and linguistic needs. Services in these programs are designed and delivered by Deaf staff members and volunteers. Deaf survivors can communicate with advocates and others directly — without an interpreter — in sign language, and DeafBlind survivors can communicate in Protactile Language using specially trained Deaf interpreters. Communicating directly is most effective, especially when individuals have experienced trauma or are discussing sensitive and difficult topics, and necessary for the healing process. Support from other Deaf people to achieve safety and healing is also critical within the context of domestic and sexual violence. Additionally, in a "for Deaf, by Deaf" program, Deaf survivors don't have to spend time educating their advocate about how to use an interpreter or about the unique dynamics of violence they experience, they can focus on healing. 25