Suspects/Offenders Issue Series: Disability Awareness Training: A Train the Trainer Program for First Responders

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This webinar explores the main elements of training law enforcement, best ways to deliver training, challenges every police department encounters, and how Disability Awareness Training should be incorporated.

Everyone needs disability awareness training; this is not unique to first responders. However, a presence at situations that call for a response to challenging behaviors, alleged criminal conduct, physical and medical needs, assistance in a matter, or service and protection are imperative to the well-being and quality of life for the individual(s) first responders come in contact with. Individuals with disabilities may require response that would vary from everyday encounters. If you are not educated on this topic, results can be catastrophic.

Mr. Whalen, Chief Askey, and Captain Mann will introduce the main elements in training law enforcement, best ways to deliver training, challenges every police department has, and how Disability Awareness Training should be incorporated. They will also discuss the role of law enforcement and how it may call for a different approach when interacting with an individual with a disability and how training plays a key role in ensuring a proper response.

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Abuse of People with Disabilities: A Silent Epidemic

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This webinar explains what abuse is, the different forms abuse can take, and tells victims how they can report abuse.

Join us for a webinar featuring a self-advocacy PSA, “Abuse of People with Disabilities: A Silent Epidemic,” by powerful self-advocates Kecia Weller and Molly Kennedy. Molly will join us as a presenter to explain what abuse is and the different forms abuse can take, and tell victims how to report abuse. She will explain the word “intimidation”, and help victims understand that abuse is always unacceptable.

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Using Model Protocols to Guide Criminal Justice Responses to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims with Disabilities

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Domestic and sexual violence against people with disabilities occurs at pandemic rates and yet offenders are rarely held accountable. Through an Office on Violence Against Women Arrest grant, Illinois developed model protocols for law enforcement and prosecutors that provide guidance for responding to violent crimes against people with disabilities. The protocols were developed through the collaborative efforts of victims with disabilities, law enforcement, prosecutors, victim services, disability service providers and other allies committed to criminal justice for crime victims with disabilities. The protocols guide law enforcement and prosecutors in responding to domestic violence and sexual assault victims with disabilities through model guidelines, investigative procedures, pre-trail motion examples, and legal considerations. This webinar will highlight Illinois’ statewide effort to develop the model protocols including the collaborative multi-disciplinary process, design challenges, training and technical assistance components and lessons learned. Key areas of the protocol will be reviewed as well as the process for statewide implementation. NCCJD webinar presenter, Shirley Paceley, working alongside victims with disabilities, facilitated the work group which developed the protocols; provided training of trainers on the protocols and is providing training and technical assistance across the state as the protocols are implemented.

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Assisting Crime Victims With Disabilities: Identifying Barriers & Improving Law Enforcement Response

/in , , , , , , , , /by The Arc

Domestic and sexual violence against people with disabilities occurs at pandemic rates and yet offenders are rarely held accountable. Through an Office on Violence Against Women Arrest grant, Illinois developed model protocols for law enforcement and prosecutors that provide guidance for responding to violent crimes against people with disabilities. The protocols were developed through the collaborative efforts of victims with disabilities, law enforcement, prosecutors, victim services, disability service providers and other allies committed to criminal justice for crime victims with disabilities. The protocols guide law enforcement and prosecutors in responding to domestic violence and sexual assault victims with disabilities through model guidelines, investigative procedures, pre-trial motion examples, and legal considerations. This webinar highlights Illinois’ statewide effort to develop the model protocols including the collaborative multi-disciplinary process, design challenges, training and technical assistance components and lessons learned. Key areas of the protocol will be reviewed as well as the process for statewide implementation. NCCJD webinar presenter, Shirley Paceley, working alongside victims with disabilities, facilitated the work group which developed the protocols; provided training of trainers on the protocols and provided training and technical assistance across the state as the protocols were implemented.

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Connecting the Dots and Building Collaboration to Support People With Disabilities Who Experience Sexual Violence

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The issue of sexual victimization presents a huge grey area that is often side stepped, leaving survivors without supports and services. Dr. Frantz shares important information criminal justice and disability professionals need to know about how to effectively serve these victims and how our own attitudes, experiences, and skill set influence how we respond to survivors with disabilities. Participants learn how “word choice” can impact the type of sexual assault services victims receive, the importance of “touch” as a proactive strategy for reducing risk of sexual victimization and understand how survivors with complex communication needs can testify in court.

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Crime Victims With Disabilities: An Overview for Professionals in the Criminal Justice System

/in , , , , /by The Arc

In this webinar, Dr. Nora Baladerian provides an overview of people with disabilities and victimization for criminal justice professionals.

Dr. Nora Baladerian is the Director of the Disability, Abuse and Personal Rights Project in Los Angeles, CA; she has worked in the area of abuse of people with disabilities since 1972. She served as a Member of the California Children’s Justice Act Task Force, representing the interests of children with disabilities since 1993 to 2008. She is a former Board Member of the National Committee to Prevent Elder Abuse and Advisory Board Member of the American Bar Association’s Council on Victims. Dr. Baladerian is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Sex Therapist and Board Certified Crisis Responder. She has expertise in conducting evaluations of suspected sexual abuse and assessments with children and adults with developmental disabilities, as well as providing clinical intervention. She consults with attorneys and law enforcement agencies providing expert witness consultation, and serves as an expert panel member for the Los Angeles County Juvenile and Family Courts. Dr. Baladerian is the author of a several guidebooks for professionals, parents and individuals with disabilities, as well as the chapter on psychotherapy intervention for child crime victims with disabilities in the Standards of Care Guidebook developed by the California Victim’s Assistance Programs. As a media consultant she served as the character consultant for Benny on L.A. Law, and has worked with other TV shows, including Doogie Howser and 21 Jump Street as well as other film and print media activities. She hosted “Sexual Healing with Dr. Nora,” a radio talk/call-in show airing on KFNX in Phoenix, Arizona and WALE in Providence, RI for 1-1/2 years. Dr. Baladerian is the Clinical Director of the Counseling Center of West Los Angeles where she maintains a private practice in a group setting. She is the Project Coordinator for the Disability and Abuse Project of Spectrum Institute, and from 2000-2006 the Director of the CAN Do! Project, Child Abuse & Neglect Disability Outreach at Arc Riverside.

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Understanding Behavioral Changes in Adults with IDD and Dementia

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$10 fee to view. This webinar dives into the behavioral aspects of dementia in persons with IDD. Dr. Kathie Bishop and Ms. Kathleen Pears will team up and go into detail regarding symptoms and behaviors associated with dementia in this population, and how sensory challenges can often be misinterpreted and associated with dementia. Environmental factors that can contribute to certain behaviors are introduced as well as changes that you can make in an individual’s environment that will help to reduce specific attributes as well.

Dementia in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

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$10 fee to view. Dr. Ronald Lucchino, Ph.D. President of the Board for the Southwest Florida Area Agency on Aging, gives a comprehensive overview of dementia. In this webinar he describes behaviors and symptoms of dementia, the different types and risk factors to miss-diagnosing an adult with an intellectual disability with dementia. Examples will be given to show the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia in adults with IDD as opposed to the general population.

What’s For Dinner? Planning for Success in Healthy Eating

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$10 fee to view. In this webinar you will learn ways to set everyone up for success in maintaining a healthy diet in a person-centered way. Healthy eating and informed choices start with the people we support. At the end of this webinar participants will be able to demonstrate the “choose 3” method of balancing a meal, creating a planning system for meals, and infusing person-centered practices into the menu planning process.

Creating Resiliency in Families Living with FASD: Moving from Grief to Empowerment 

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$10 to view. Families that are raising children with effects from prenatal alcohol exposure, known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) oftentimes find themselves having to become experts on the topic. They often have to educate their health care providers, educators, counselors, and others that provide treatment and support for their loved ones. It is easy for these families to burn out and fall into a feeling of helplessness or despair. Kathy Mitchell, Vice President and National Spokesperson for the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) reviews some of the behavioral characteristics of individuals with FASD through the lifespan and discusses how families are also affected through the lifespan. She reviews the stages of denial and grief often experienced by family members, focusing on the importance of self-care for parents and caretakers. She also provides suggestions on how to deal with stress and develop a positive mindset that can allow families to move from grief and frustration to a place of acceptance. Current resources and supports are provided that are available for individuals and family members with FASD.