The Vera Institute of Justice’s Center on Victimization and Safety works to ensure that traditionally under-served victims of crime have equal access to victim services and criminal justice interventions. We do this by fostering collaboration among and building the capacity of victim service organizations, population and/or culturally specific service providers, and the criminal justice system. The Center combines research, technical assistance, and training to help policymakers and practitioners’ close gaps in systems and ensure that all survivors of violence have access to the services and support they need and want.
Working in partnership with the Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime, the Center on Victimization and Safety is currently creating an online toolkit for a range of audiences. One part of the toolkit is looking at the experiences of people with disabilities with the disability service system. We are looking to include some short quotes from those who use these systems to help others learn.
If you are interested in sharing and are willing for us to use your first name and where you are from (city/state) we would really like to include your words. Here are some things we would like to know:
1. How easy is it for you to find disability services where you live? (please indicate whether you are in an urban or rural area) Do you have a lot of choices or is it more limited?
2. How easy is it for you to travel to disability services where you live? Are services accessible via public transportation? Do you have public transportation? What would be a typical travel time to get to the services?
3. Is there anything unique about the disability services in your area? Something that is specific to you community.
4. What are some of the things you really like about the services? What are things that you might not like?
5. Are there any barriers you face getting disability services in your area?
6. If you have lived and received services from multiple places (if you have lived in other states, or counties or countries), how would you compare them?
I know this is short notice but please reply to me by September 6th.
Please feel free to share with others.
Leslie Myers, MS, CRC, CCDVC
Senior Program Associate
Vera Center on Victimization + Safety
1111 14th St NW, Suite 920
Washington, DC 20005
T: (630) 486-3367
C: (646) 530-3523
Fax: (202) 941-9407
E-mail: lmyers@vera.org
AIM: Leslie at Vera