Survivors Living with a Disability

Overview

FCADV recognizes that people living with physical, cognitive or emotional limitations are more vulnerable to domestic violence. Isolation, physical and sexual abuse may be experienced differently for a survivor living with a disability. Elder domestic violence survivors are at an increased risk of financial exploitation. In addition to the physical and cognitive barriers that may be faced by a survivor living with a disability, all survivors of domestic violence may also experience oppression related to their religion, race, age, social class, economics, and/or sexual orientation.

FCADV provides training and technical assistance to assist Florida's domestic violence centers in working with individuals of any age living with a disability who are experiencing domestic violence. A recently updated training curriculum includes disability awareness, safety planning for persons living with a disability, barriers to disclosure of abuse, and economic challenges and financial resources.

This webpage is includes resources for survivors living with a disability as well as advocates who would like to build their personal and center's capacity for serving survivors with a disability.

Domestic Violence in Later Life

A new project supported by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs addressing domestic violence in later life explores issues older survivors living with a disability and poverty may face. Select one of the following links to explore this topic further.

DV in Later Life Program
Creating a Center Accessible by Older Survivors
National and State Disability and Elder Resources
Florida Regional Disability and Elder Resources

FCADV Domestic Violence in Later Life Program

FCADV statewide Domestic Violence in Later Life Training is offered to domestic violence advocates, Areas on Aging, Adult Protective Services, survivors of domestic violence and concerned citizens. This Advanced Unit supplements the Domestic Violence and a Disability curriculum with information specifically addressing the intersection of family violence victimization and elders living with a disability and poverty.

Register for the September 2008 Advocate Training or Train the Trainer in Miami.
DV in Later Life: Onsite Trainings and Technical Assistance

Would you like training at your center on Domestic Violence in Later Life or assistance ensuring your center is physically, programmatically and attitudinally accessible to older survivors living with a disability? Request Assistance.

If you are not a DV center but you would like on-site training or technical assistance for making your older adult services more accessible to survivors of domestic violence email us.
Download printable brochures and fact sheets:

FCADV Survivors of Domestic Violence Living with a Disability:

   Safety Planning Guide

   Economic Resource Guide

   Eco Resource and Safety Planning Guides for older adults- Coming Soon!

   NCADV Abuse in Later Life Fact Sheet
Program Assessment Tool- Coming Soon!

To order any of the following materials Florida's Certified DV Centers may access the FCADV library. Click here for library guidelines and order form.

Video	What's Age Got to Do With It?	FCADV
Video	When Help Was There: Four Stories of Elder Abuse	Fanlight Productions
Video	The Dance	Area Agency on Aging
Booklet	Model Policies for Making Florida's Domestic Violence Centers Elder Ready	State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs
Booklet	Golden Voices: Support Groups for Older Women	National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life
Booklet	Developing Services for Older Abused Women: A Guide for Domestic Programs	WCADV
Booklet	Financial Safety Planning for Older Women	ICADV, Iowa Commission on the Status of Women, Iowa Department of Elder Affairs

Creating a Center Accessible by Older Survivors

Physical Accessibility

Follow ADA Guidelines.
Have a designated quiet space in shelter.
Make accommodations for caregivers.
Evaluate center policy for accommodating service animals.

Programmatic Accessibility

Offer support groups for older women.
Learn to use TTY machines and arrange translators for deaf survivors before services are needed.
Review center policy and procedures to ensure accessibility.
Request FCADV DV and a Disability and DV in Later Life On-site Advocate Trainings and Technical Assistance.

Attitudinal Accessibility

Use photos of survivors living with a disability and older survivors in your printed materials and website
Hire staff diverse in age and ability.
When arranging for shelter or outreach services ask survivors if they will need special accommodations or assistance.
Talk with survivors living with a disability about making your services more accessible.
Discuss ableism regularly in your staff meetings.

Program Assessment Tool-Coming soon!

Program Idea Grid

Click here for a list of program and advocacy suggestions created by NCALL.

National and State Resources

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life

National Center on Elder Abuse

Center for Housing and New Economics (CHANCE)
A national organization to improve and increase access to integrated, affordable, and accessible housing coordinated with, but separate from, personal assistance and supportive services.

Florida Department of Elder Affairs

The Florida Department on Aging

Agency for Persons with Disabilities
Supporting person with Developmental Disabilities in Florida.

Supported Employment in Florida
Helping Florida citizens with severe disabilities to be employed; offers web-based training in supported employment

ADA Working Group Florida's "One-Stop" Cross-Disability Hotline
Florida Governor's Working Group on the Americans with Disabilities (ADAWG). Clearinghouse on Disability Information
1-877-ADA-4YOU (232-4968) Toll Free / Voice / TTY.

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
Encouraging and advocating opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities and their families, to enhance their quality of life within their communities.

Florida Alliance for Assistive Technology
Increasing access to and acquisition of assistive services and technology in order to improve the quality of life for all Floridians with disabilities. Assistive Technology allows individuals to overcome barriers to independence education and employment by providing them with the tools and technology that would allow them to experience the highest degree of inclusion possible. FAAST provides an equipment loan program and hosts "AT Bay" providing an opportunity to buy, sell or trade used assistive technology. FAAST partners with banking institutions to provide loans to purchase Assistive Technology. Borrowers can receive from $500 to $20,000 for vehicle or home modifications, adaptive computer equipment, scooters, etc.

Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Statewide employment resources for businesses and people with disabilities

Family Network on Disabilities
A statewide network of families and individuals of all ages who may be at-risk, have disabilities, or have special needs and their families, professionals, and concerned citizens. Site in English and Spanish.

Florida Care Council of Florida
Advises the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) on the needs of self-advocates and their families. Has links to on-line training.

Florida Supportive Housing Coalition
A statewide organization dedicated to fostering the development of housing for various special needs populations, including: the elderly, certain veterans returning from service abroad, young people aging out of the foster care system, persons with a disability, those at risk or suffering from homelessness, ex-offenders, and others.

Florida Housing Search
Allows people to locate available housing that best fits their individual and family needs and is supported by a toll-free, bilingual call center M-F, 9-6 EST. This list includes HUD and USDA-Subsidized properties in Florida. The site includes special mapping features, apartment listings with information about each unit, including information on accessibility. In addition, the site provides links to other housing resources and provides tools for renters such as an affordability calculator, rental checklist, and renter rights and responsibilities information.

Florida 211.0rg
Provides assistance accessing human service information of all types, statewide

Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living (FACIL)
Empowering persons with disabilities to live independently and participate actively in their community

Florida Regional Links

NW Florida

Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging

Area Agency on Aging of North Florida, Inc.

Ability First
Serving Leon, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Gadsden, and Wakulla

The Center for Independent Living for Northwest Florida

NE Florida

Elder Options, the Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging

ElderSource, Area Agency on Aging for Northeast Florida

The Center for Independent Living for North Central Florida

Independent Living Resource Center of Northeast Florida

Central Florida

Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas

West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
Tampa

Senior Resource Alliance
Orlando Area on Aging

Caring and Sharing Center for Independent Living in St. Petersburg

Center for Independent Living In Central Florida

Suncoast Center for Independent Living in Sarasota

Space Coast Center for Independent Living in Cocoa Beach

SE Florida

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Broward County

Alliance for Aging

Center for Independent Living of the Keys

Center for Independent Living of Broward

Center for Independent Living of South Florida

SW Florida

Area Agency on Aging of Southwest Florida

Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast, Inc.

Center for Independent Living of Southwest Florida

Coalition for Independent Living Options, Inc. in West Palm Beach

Victory Lane Center for Independent Living of Ormond Beach

FLORIDA COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
All calls to FCADV and services provided by FCADV are confidential.
425 Office Plaza Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone (850) 425-2749 ‡ FAX (850) 425-3091
Hotline: 1-800-500-1119
TTY Hotline: 1-800-621-4202