Disability Issues

ABLE-ISM: Power in society lies with those who are able-bodied. Those whose abilities are out of the norm are without power or access. People of differing abilities are afforded differing values in society.

Women with disabilities, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or class are assaulted, raped, and abused at a rate two times greater than nondisabled women. (Sobsey, 1988, 1994; Cusitar, 1994, Stimpson and Best, 1991, DisAbled Women’s Network (DAWN) 1988.)

Sexual assault survivors with disabilities are at an increased risk for sexual violence, often experience difficulty in obtaining accessible services, and often experience difficulty in obtaining further protection.

To assure quality services to persons with disabilities, agencies, communities, and individuals must address the FOUR ACCESS ENVIRONMENTS:

Physical Environment:

  • Elements of the physical environment are most often thought of when discussing disability-related access, especially since the implementation of accessibility laws (including the Americans with Disabilities Act).
  • Examples of access to the physical environment: curb cuts, ramps, elevators. Raised print and Braille signage in elevators and outside offices. Visual alarms for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

Informational Environment:

  • The informational environment encompasses: print materials (e.g., posters, flyers, agendas, and newspapers). Oral communications (e.g., speakers, films, and performances).
  • Examples of access to the information environment: creation of printed materials in alternate formats (Braille, large print, audio tape, and electronic). Provision of sign language interpreters for public speeches and performances. Incorporation of design elements in information technology systems that are friendly to adaptive technology.

Programmatic/Policy Environment:

  • Using universal design concepts is part of the programmatic/policy environment.
  • Developing access policies can also eliminate barriers to programs.
  • Examples of programmatic/policy accommodations: adapting eligibility requirements (e.g., credit load) for participation in student government. Establishing equal opportunity policies that include the protection of people with disabilities. Designating a key person to be accountable for disability-related access.

Attitudinal Environment:

  • The attitudinal environment is the most intangible of the four, primarily because it involves human behavior and perception.
  • Attitudinal barriers include the prevailing negative assumptions perpetuated by society about people with disabilities.
  • Changes in the attitudinal environment typically take place through one-on-one interaction with people with disabilities.

Source: University of Minnesota, Aurora Center and Disability Services, 2002.

INDICATORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

Not all victims report symptoms, although most report one or more. Victims may not display these symptoms until days, months, or in some cases years after their assault.

Affective

  • Sudden aversion to persons or places that were not avoided in the past.
  • Sudden changes in relationships that previously seemed rewarding.
  • Difficulties with concentration and attention; significant increases in short-term memory problems; difficulty with complex tasks that were previously performed well.
  • Obvious increases in anxiety, including work avoidance, frequent tearfulness, sudden outbursts, frequent requests for reassurance, shadowing staff or becoming upset when left alone in an area.
  • Nightmares; difficulties sleeping; early morning awakenings

Behavioral

  • Changes and regression in skills; refusal or apparent inability to use skills previously learned; frequent request for help with skills that the person has used independently in the past.
  • Acting-out: unusual increases in aggression or antisocial behavior such as stealing, shoplifting, harassing others physically and verbally.
  • Sudden changes in appetite, including refusal to eat or sudden preoccupation with eating; food theft from acquaintances.
  • Changes in bowel and bladder habits, including fecal smearing or digging.
  • Acting out in sexual ways such as increased masturbation,
  • Wearing many layers of clothing; fear of undressing or increased stripping.
  • Refusing to bath

Physical

  • Changes in gait or other obvious physical injury, including bleeding in anal and genital areas, unexplained bruises or abrasions near these areas, torn or stained clothing.
  • Urinary tract infections or complaints of pain or discomfort in the genital area.
  • Unusual or unexplained findings upon physical examination such as sexually transmitted diseases, trauma to the anal/genital area; pregnancy.

INDICATORS OF ABUSE/NEGLECT OF
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

  • Injuries are unexplained or explanation does not fit with the injuries observed.
  • Stories of how injuries happened differ: especially noticeable in separate interviews.
  • Caretaker fails to launder, dress or change disabled person's clothes.
  • Caretaker fails to assist disabled person to toilet or commode.
  • Caretaker fails to administer medications properly.
  • Caretaker fails to change bed pads or to turn disabled person in bed so bedsores are present.
  • Caretaker has disabled person sleep on sofa, or floor.
  • Caretaker evicted disabled person and/or abandoned.
  • Caretaker mismanages finances, or misappropriates funds e.g.: for own use.
  • Disabled person is left unsupervised e.g.: disabled person disoriented and wanders.

EXPLANATIONS OF INJURIES/NEGLECT

  • Injuries are unexplained or explanation does not fit with the injuries observed.
  • Stories of how injuries happened differ: especially noticeable in separate interviews.
  • A history of similar injuries is present, e.g.: numerous falls are reported to have occurred although the disabled person ambulates well.
  • Disabled victim reports abuse/neglect; attention should be given to this kind of report.
  • Caretaker/abuser confesses to having "disciplined" the disabled person in order to control or provide care. Rationalizes behavior.
  • Caretaker/abuser admits to abuse/neglecting disabled person "in the past."
  • Caretaker/abuser admits to abuse/neglect while minimizing extent of physical contact, e.g.: by stating the disabled person was only "pushed."
  • Disabled victim makes excuses for why he/she is inadequately cared for.

BEHAVIOR OF DISABLED VICTIM

A victim may display one, all or none of these behaviors. These are indicators that abuse may be occurring.

  • Cries easily, frequently.
  • Expresses a desire to die, and/or hopelessness.
  • Talks about the past, and avoids talking about the present, for example the caregiver or holidays.
  • Exhibits stress-related illness, for example, hypertension, asthmatic attacks.
  • Has nightmares and difficulty sleeping.
  • Has a sudden loss of appetite, unrelated to medical condition.
  • Has become emotionally numb, withdrawn, and/or detached.
  • Exhibits fear of caregiver/abuser, and hesitates to speak while others are in the room.
  • Is hyper alert, vigilant in watching actions of caregiver/abuser.
  • Exhibits an exaggerated startled response to sudden movement.
  • Worries or is anxious about his or her own performance for example, being incontinent.
  • Exhibits distrust of others.
  • Has suddenly become more dependent on the caregiver, adopting the role of a child.
  • Asks to be separated from the caregiver/abuser.
  • Is resistant to taking medication, being bathed, eating and allowing a caregiver to provide care.
  • Has a rapid progression of physical deterioration.
  • Speaks of the caregiver in glowing terms, despite apparent abuse/neglect.

TO REPORT THE ABUSE OF A DISABLED PERSON IN NORTH DAKOTA CALL THE PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY PROJECT. 1-800-472-2670. CALL 1-800-642-6694. FOR 24 HOUR EMERGENCY.

Resource: Disabled Persons Protection Commission (Document ID: 1663)(December 2, 2000) Mission: Protect Adults With Disabilities From Abusive Acts & Omissions of Their Caregivers Through Investigation, Oversight, Public Awareness & Prevention