The AVERT Project

Today, just in time for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, I attended a conference for employees of shelters on how to handle the people they serve--most notably people with disabilities. It was called "The AVERT Project," and was held at the local 317 Board, right next to the Dairy Barn.

The 317 Board is a modest brick building.

I was lured to the conference by Kate, the director of a battered women's shelter nearby called My Sister's Place. Peg Calvey oversaw the conference, a woman with a disability herself (retinal) who drove all the way from Genesis House in Lorain, Ohio.

Peg gives a big 'ole grin.

First off, Peg cited the American Disabilities Act's definition of "disability" as any significant impairment that limits an activity of daily living. Surprisingly, because of this definition, people no longer use assessments like IQ tests to determine whether a person has a developmental disability; instead, they inspect whether that person can't do three or more ADLs, or Activities of Daily Living, such as bathing or food preparation.

Developmental disability apparently is not synonymous with mental retardation, as I was surprised to find out. Autistic people, Aspergians or even people with learning disabilities can be developmentally disabled. Also, I learned what Joyce, the director of Passion Works, meant by "person-first" language: there is no "developmentally disabled person"; rather, it's "person with a developmental disability."

Peg revealed some jarring facts about the disabled and battered women. In the 1940s, for example, there was a movement to euthanize babies with disabilities. People with disabilities are two to three times more at risk for abuse. Most disturbing were the next two facts, though: 85% of women with disabilities are abused at least once, and 90% of women with developmental disabilities are sexually abused at least once. Ninety percent. In addition, over half are sexually abused at least 10 times.

The sad fact, which I didn't realize, is that 85% of women in shelters have a disability, over half as a result of abuse. Every time a woman is hit on the head, the probability goes up that she will be hit again.

To finish out the conference, Peg discussed deaf and blind battered women. I was surprised to find out that only 10% of blind people can read braille. As a result, all 27 pages of paperwork at My Sister's Place have to be aired via tape. Deaf women apparently are unlikely to come to shelters, as they often feel uncomfortable telling personal matters to interpreters and there's not much accessibility in general. Hell, the closest legal interpreter (someone could be used for a court case) around is in Columbus. It's a sad state indeed, but thankfully conferences like these help to make things better through informing shelter workers about what they can do.