Accessibility is vital for a strong community

A central principle of our community is that it’s open to all who are a part of it. We have the right to engage with our political structure, education system, public services, and other programs that facilitate and strengthen community life. However, individuals with disabilities often find they are cut off from these services, overlooked, or unable to access the help they need.

Reaching people with disabilities is all the more important because of the scope of those affected. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that nearly one in five adults has a physical, mental, or cognitive disability, and they are three times as likely to experience a violent crime as individuals without disabilities. People with disabilities are at higher risk of victimization because they may be dependent on another person to meet critical needs.

Caregivers, such as relatives, significant others, neighbors, or professional aids, may control access to medication, transportation, finances, or more distant loved ones. Victims may be unable to report a crime without their caregiver’s assistance or they may be anxious about who will care for them if they report their caregiver’s maltreatment. If they do successfully reach out for services, they may face difficulty getting the accommodations they need due to a service provider’s lack of understanding or funding.

There is good news, a recent increase in federal formula funding for victim services providers, coupled with new provisions in federal regulations that govern this formula funding, encourages victim service providers to make their services more fully accessible to anyone with a disability. For example, the new VOCA Formula Victim Assistance regulations (entitled the Final Rule, available through the Office for Victims of Crime of the U.S. Department of Justice) now allow VOCA Formula sub-recipients who serve victims to make minor building adaptations to better comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Domestic violence shelters and other victim assistance programs can construct accessible bathrooms, wider doorways, and wheelchair ramps. Buildings should not hinder the ability of victims to seek the services they need to recover from crime. The new funding regulations also cover the cost of forensic interviewing if the victim has a cognitive disability. Primarily used in child abuse or sexual assault cases, forensic interviewing methods are victim-centered, trauma informed, and take into account varying levels of comprehension. When performed correctly, this type of interview limits re-traumatization and provides the emotional support necessary for a victim to move forward.

The new VOCA funding is an unprecedented opportunity for our community to reach and serve crime victims with disabilities. By using these funds to increase equitable access to critical and appropriate services for individuals with disabilities, we will build a stronger, more resilient community. If you or someone you know is a victim of crime contact Boundary County Victim Services at 208-267-5211.