Activating Change’s Post

Please join us in commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, one of the most pivotal pieces of legislation in our nation's history for Deaf and disabled victims and survivors of crime. The White House is hosting several events over the next few days to honor the history and legacy of VAWA, and the critical role it plays in connecting women to the services they need. Activating Change's Liam Esposito will be featured in a panel discussion on Thursday A livestream of Wednesday's events, which are focused on technical assistance, is available here: https://lnkd.in/g2HDydTR

This summer, our Senior Program Associate, Aquia Pusch will present at the National Center for Culturally Responsive Victim Services (NCCRVS) Knowledge Institute. This informative event is hosted by Ujima, The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community and NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF SISTERS OF COLOR ENDING SEXUAL ASSAULT (SCESA). There are two opportunities to catch the presentation on the impact of violence in the lives of people with disabilities. Check out this training in Phoenix, AZ on July 24-25 or in Tulsa, OK on August 13-14. Register today at https://lnkd.in/eUesdpdU

Paying for accommodations and modifications is often cited as a challenge to providing survivor advocacy to people with disabilities. However, most accommodations cost little to no money and those that do have a cost are an essential part of saving lives and supporting healing. The cost of accommodations should be a standard expense included in every organization’s annual budget. Take our free online course to learn how to budget for accessibility. Visit https://lnkd.in/e3vKNbC5

Check out our new toolkit designed to help people working on criminal justice reform initiatives partner with disability and Deaf communities.

Discover practical solutions to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence facing mental health challenges. Join us in this insightful webinar. We will unravel the complex relationship between trauma from violence and mental health disabilities. Gain essential knowledge and tools to effectively address co-occurring issues and provide meaningful support to survivors. Reserve your seat today: https://lnkd.in/eBRJYdRa

Check out this new opportunity for criminal legal reform advocates. Join us for a special webinar on Thursday, July 25 at 3 p.m. We're excited to have an open discussion on enhancing criminal legal reforms through strategic partnerships with disability and Deaf organizations. In this virtual event, we will introduce our new toolkit designed to foster meaningful collaborations that promote inclusivity and drive impactful change in the criminal justice system. Whether you're already involved in reform efforts or looking to expand your network, this webinar is designed for you. Register now to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/ejRUBC9E #CriminalJusticeReform #DisabilityRights #Inclusion #Webinar

The number of older people behind bars is growing every year. Many incarcerated older adults have disabilities or will develop disabilities that cannot be adequately supported while behind bars. Justice is denied when people lack access to basic standards of care. Learn more about Activating Change and our work to end the criminalization of people with disabilities at https://lnkd.in/etw3FX4A. #JusticeReform #EndIncarceration

Build access into your advocates’ core responsibilities. For survivors with disabilities and Deaf survivors, facing barriers when seeking services can compound their trauma. On the other hand, accessible and equitable services allow safe spaces for survivors with disabilities and Deaf survivors to begin their healing journey. How is your team supporting survivors with disabilities and Deaf survivors? Let us know in the comments.

Happy Juneteenth! Today, we celebrate freedom and honor those who fought to abolish slavery and advance equity. As we commemorate this historical milestone, we also recognize the ongoing fight against mass incarceration and the overrepresentation of Black people with disabilities in the carceral system. Ending this unjust criminalization is vital to achieving true equity and freedom for all. Let's celebrate today while committing to a future where justice and equity prevail for people with disabilities entangled in the criminal legal system. Learn more about our efforts at https://lnkd.in/etw3FX4A. #Juneteenth #Freedom #Equity #Justice #EndMassIncarceration #DisabilityRights

Don't miss our next learning opportunity, Through Crisis and Complexity: Using Plain Language to Enhance Trauma-Informed Practices on Tuesday, June 25 at 2 PM ET. Registration is still open at endabusepwd.org/events. #webinar #Disability #Accessibility