OVC-ARC Riverside Online Professional Training Conference 9/9-9/29 2004

WORKSHOP INFORMATION FOR CEU CREDIT

                       BASICS ON ABUSE AND DISABILITY:
               THE LAW, VICTIMS' RIGHTS, AND SERVICE DELIVERY

                                Presented by
                    Olegario "Ollie" D. Cantos VII, Esq.
                               Washington, DC



                             COURSE DESCRIPTION


For any individual new to the arena of crime victimization  of  people  with
disabilities, knowing where  to  begin  can  be  a  daunting  and  sometimes
intimidating challenge in and of  itself.   With  all  the  information  out
there, where  does  one  start,  and  how  can  a  person  learn  about  the
contemporary  issues  facing  crime  victims  with  disabilities  and  their
families?  How can one  address  victimization  when  it  occurs  and,  more
importantly, how can one prevent victimization in  the  first  place?   This
course is designed to answer these and other compelling questions.  It  will
combine a basic education of current  issues  with  a  proactive  networking
approach that will enable people to know what they can do to  forge  a  real
impact.



                             TRAINING OBJECTIVES


Course participants will learn:

         . The importance of becoming informed about and acting upon issues
           surrounding crime victimization  of  children  and  adults  with
           disabilities
         . Who are the stakeholders who should be involved  in  confronting
           these issues
         . The degrees and types of crime
         . The pitfalls facing disabled crime victims at various stages  of
           the criminal justice system and what  can  be  done  to  address
           these issues
         . Specific techniques for increasing one's knowledge and skill set
           and then helping others to do the same.



                               COURSE OUTLINE


Through a dynamic approach that brings together statistical  data,  examples
of effective advocacy, a description of online  informational  resources,  a
proactive time-tested networking approach,  and  a  positive  philosophy  of
empowerment and self-determination, course participants will  gain  a  basic
understanding of the issues surrounding crime victimization of  people  with
disabilities, and they will learn how to use this  new-found  knowledge  and
methodology  for  the  benefit  of   themselves,   their   families,   their
constituencies, and/or those who depend upon them for support.

     I. Introduction
        A. Why Focus on Abuse of Children and Adults with Disabilities
        B. General Statistics Surrounding Victimization
              i. Children
             ii. Adults
        C. Who Should Focus on These Issues?
              i. Parents
             ii. Social Workers
            iii. Victims' Rights Advocates
             iv. Members of the Law Enforcement Community
              v. Members of the Legal Profession
             vi. Judges
            vii. Elected and Appointed Officials
           viii. People with Disabilities Themselves

    II. Overview of Crime
        A. Difference between a Misdemeanor and a Felony
        B. Types of Crime

   III. Addressing Existing Pitfalls within the Criminal Justice System
        A. Recognition of Victimization
        B. Reporting of Actual or Suspected Crime
        C. Attitudes of First Responders
        D. Response of the Prosecutor
        E. Burden of Proof and Perceptions of the Jury
        F. Judicial Discretion and Sentencing
        G. The Appeal Process

    IV. Determining One's Role in Making A Difference
        A. Options for Next Action Steps
              i. Do nothing.
             ii. Serve as an Informational Resource
            iii. Become a Victims' Rights Advocate
                    1. Influence Public Policy
                    2. Form a Support Group
                    3. Educate Others about Issues Surrounding Victimization
                       of People with Disabilities
                    4.  Spread  the  Word  about  the  Online   Professional
                       Conference
                    5. Attend  Meetings  and  Get  Involved  with  Organized
                       Efforts
        B. The Methodology for Ongoing Learning
              i. Person-to-Person Networking Techniques
             ii. Utilizing the Internet
            iii. Forming your Own "Brain Trust"

     V. Question and Answer Period

    VI. Closing Remarks and Next Steps for Online Dialog