Approved by the NCIL membership May, 2006
WHEREAS, the prevalence of violence/abuse of people with disabilities exceeds that of people without disabilities in our society; and
WHEREAS, recent years have seen an increase in federal monies for training and technical assistance to increase victim service provider’s capacity to serve women with disabilities and Deaf women; and
WHEREAS, numerous highly publicized cases of violence/abuse of persons with disabilities indicates that these efforts have been inadequate in changing the response of victim service agencies; and
WHEREAS, sixty (60) representatives from centers for independent living across the country voiced their concerns at the 2004 annual conference and believe that NCIL and its membership should take a leadership role in addressing violence/abuse of people with disabilities.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED: that NCIL acknowledges that violence/abuse occurs in the lives of people with disabilities and that this victimization creates a major barrier to achieving independence.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that NCIL will encourage the administration and legislature to allocate resources to improve access to services for persons with disabilities who are victimized and to address legislation and public policy that affect victims with disabilities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that NCIL will encourage its membership to develop strategies to address violence/abuse of the people with disabilities in their communities; to advocate for equal access to victim services and to promote justice for people with disabilities who are victims of violence/abuse.
Respectfully submitted by:
Leslie Myers, MS, CRC, CDVC, Domestic Violence Specialist/Counselor
IndependenceFirst 600 W Virginia 4th Floor, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Roberta Sick, Project Director, Partners for Inclusive Communities-UAMS
2001 Pershing Circle, Suite 300 North Little Rock, AR 72114
Mary Oschwald, Regional Research Institute, Portland State University
PO Box 751, 1600 SW 4th St Suite 900, Portland OR 97207
Supporters:
IndependenceFirst in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Regional Research Institute, Portland State University in Portland, Oregon
Partners for Inclusive Communities-UAMS in North Little Rock, Arkansas
Delta Resource Center for IL in Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Mainstream Independent Living Resource Center in Little Rock, Arkansas
Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers in Madison, Wisconsin
Arkansas Independent Living Council in Arkansas
Spa Area Independent Living Services in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women, Deaf and Disabled Services
Steve Weiss, Disability Advocate
Connie Kramer
Center for Independent Living of Broward
Communities Against Violence Network (CAVNET)
