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


WORKSHOP INFORMATION FOR CEU CREDIT



 The Role of Assistive Technology in Serving Victims with Disabilities


DJ Stemmler, B.A., COTA/L


Description:
*     Typically people with disabilities and victims are served by separate
agencies.  Because people with disabilities are frequently also victims of
violence there is an increasing need to address service provision issues.
Just as there is an effort to reach out to diverse populations, there needs
to be a recognition that people with disabilities are part of that, and
under served diverse population.  It also needs to be recognized that
typical service provision isn't working.

*     Assistive Technology can be one of the many bridges used to link the
two communities.  Providing victims with an environment that recognizes and
supports the use of AT devices and services increases the chances the
victims with disabilities will utilize the services.  It will help the
communicate, report crimes, seek services and most of take and keep control
over their lives.

*     Taking away AT devices in places like emergency rooms and police
stations is similar to tying a victim to a chair or covering their mouth
with tape so they can't speak.  Wheels are their legs, computers their
voices and to not recognize the important role they play is no more
grievous than not recognizing that people with disabilities are also
victims.  This presentation will introduce AT as an important treatment
modality.

Outline:
     I. Definition of Assistive Technology
        a. Areas of Assistive Technology
               i. Mobility
              ii. Communication
             iii. Environmental Control
              iv. Visual and Assistive Listening
               v. Transportation/driving
              vi. Computer Access
             vii. Shelter and Counseling Environment assessment for
                  physical accessibility

    II. Definition  of Disability/
        a. Areas of Impairment or need
               i. Mobility
              ii. Communication
             iii. Visual Perceptual
              iv. Hearing
               v. Cognition
              vi. ADL
             vii. Transportation

   III. How Victims may need AT services or Devices
        a. Crisis Intevention
               i. Communication is primary area of need.
                    1. TTY for hotline calls.
                    2. Provide means of communication for a victim who can
                       not speak.-Picture board, augmentative communication
                       device, spelling board, text pager, call button in
                       hospital.
                    3. Telemed with interpreter
              ii. Mobility is another a primary area of need.
                    1. Victims may have not means of mobility except a
                       wheelchair.  If it is damaged they are trapped.
                    2. If the go to the ER room chair is left at home. Then
                       they are trapped in hospital

             iii. Visual Perceptual
                    1. Are materials in alternate format
                    2. Clear Signage
              iv. Hearing
                    1. Amplified Listening, TTY's and interpreters necessary
                       for interviewing, testifying and providing crisis
                       intervention.
                    2. Voice Amplified phones, Shake awake alarms, Flashing
                       phone, door bell or fire alarms needed in shelters or
                       counseling centers.
               v. Cognition
                    1. Materials need to be written for the population
                       served.  Using pictures, and language reflective of
                       level of understanding absolutely necessary.
              vi. Activities of Daily Living - Bathing, dressing, eating
                  and meal preparation.
                    1. If staying in shelter may need  Attendant Services,
                       bath bench, bidet,
                    2.  lift system and adaptive equipment to function as
                       independently as possible.  The focus is control.

             vii. Transportation
                    1. May need accessible transportation to get to safe
                       location. Relocate to a shelter or get to medical and
                       counseling appointments.


Objectives

Participants will
    . Learn the definitions of all major areas of assistive technology
    . Learn the factors affecting the interface of disabilities and
      assistive technology
    . Learn the close connection between understanding victimization and
      understanding the role of assistive technology
    . Develop an awareness of the need to keep assistive technology
      available to victims during the process of responding to victimization
    . Understand the value of consulting with assistive technology experts
      in cases of victimization of people with disabilities
    . Be able to respond appropriately to victims with disabilities who are
      supported by their assistive technologies. (th)