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If you are Deaf, DeafBlind or Hard-of-Hearing and also a victim of domestic violence (or an advocate working with someone who is) the following information may help you. This resource page developed (2004) is divided into the following sections: information on programs that specialize in providing support and services for Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing victim/survivors of domestic and sexual violence and information needed by programs that are not Deaf specific; questions victim/survivors often ask their advocates; information for advocates regarding Deaf culture; and Deaf specific general resources. The focus of this resource page is domestic violence, however, it contains information that sexual assault victim/survivors and their advocates will also find helpful. Note: The following information was compiled by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) to serve as a resource for domestic violence advocates and others concerned about safety and justice for victim/survivors of domestic violence. VAWnet provides these resources as a source of information that you can evaluate on your own terms for your own needs, and inclusion on this page does not constitute an endorsement by the NRCDV. The following programs specialize in providing support and services for Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard-of-Hearing victims of domestic and sexual violence: National | State-wide | Local. National Domestic Violence
Hotline (NDVH) TTY - 800-787-3224 The NDVH website provides numerous links with a wide variety of information on domestic violence, including a selection of links focused solely on the Deaf Community. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is a project of the Texas Council on Family Violence. Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) TTY - 888-293-9035  Deaf
Victims Advocacy Services (DVAS) Someone is available via the office number Monday thru Friday 9am to 4:30pm and if in crisis or you want to talk, the support line is available 7 days a week from 12pm noon to 12pm midnight. Office TTY - 802-479-1934 Deaf Women of Iowa Against Abuse (DWIAA) TTY - 515-244-0875 and toll free 877-244-0875 DOVE:
Advocacy Services for Abused Deaf Women & Children DOVE provides services for the counties of Denver, Arapahoe, Douglas, Jefferson, Adams and Broomfield, Colorado. These services are culturally appropriate and fully accessible for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing victim/survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence and include 24-hr crisis intervention, information and referral, advocacy, community education, outreach, and technical assistance with interagency collaboration. The Hotline is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Office TTY and Voice: 303.831.7932 Deaf
Abused Women's Network (DAWN) TTY - Office 202-721-8293 Hotline:
1-866-290-DAWN (3296) Abused
Deaf Women's Advocacy Services (ADWAS) ADWAS offers information and support that allow victims/survivors to understand their options, take control of their lives and make decisions affecting them. It provides legal, children's and medical advocacy, safe home, support groups and therapy to King County, WA and systems advocacy, technical assistance and education state and nation wide. Someone can be reached Monday thru Thursday from 8am to 6pm Pacific Time. TTY - 206-726-0093 Crisis
Center Foundation: Deaf Advocacy (CCFDA) TTY - 217-245-6816 Communication
Services for the Deaf of Minnesota (CSDMinnesota) TTY- (651) 487-8867 Sego
Lily Center for the Abused Deaf (SLCAD) Pager: (801) 241-9174 or lilysego@my2way.com What if the local domestic violence program doesn't have a TTY? Call the national relay service number to assist you in communicating your needs. 1-800-877-8973 Will the domestic violence program know how to obtain a sign language interpreter? There is a strong possibility that they may not know how to obtain an interpreter. Additionally, they may not know that they are required to provide one, if you request this service. It would be wise to bring in this resource page with you and show them the following suggestions. Agencies that can help locate an interpreter. Local: Independent Living Centers or Centers for Independent Living , these agencies might go by either name and could be listed in the yellow pages under "Social Services." State: Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Commission or Council , nearly every State has one. National: Sign Language Associates, Incorporated , if you are still unsure who to contact locally within your city or state this agency can help locate the nearest sign language interpreter referral service. This organization is located in the Washington, DC area and provides interpreters on a global level. You may contact them in the following ways: Voice/TTY 301-946-9710 What else should I tell the domestic violence program to assist me in receiving effective communication? In an emergency situation an interpreter might not be available right away, however, you will be in a safe place (that's the first priority) until an interpreter gets to the program. Make sure that you request a sign language interpreter, before the actual meeting if possible, for your face-to-face meeting with an advocate. When you arrive, provide the advocate with the following information, especially if you are told they cannot obtain a sign language interpreter. Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act states that places of public accommodation are required to ensure that customers or clients with disabilities affecting hearing, vision, speech, or cognition are provided with effective communication through auxiliary aids and services that enable them to fully benefit from facilities, services, goods, and programs. A place of public accommodation is not required to provide any auxiliary aid or service if doing so would "fundamentally alter" the operation (i.e., alter the essential nature of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations offered), or if providing communication aids and services would result in an "undue burden" (i.e., significant difficulty or expense). To get more information about requirements under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act call: 1-800-949-4ADA
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSThere is so much to consider, where do I begin? When you are in a safe place and have enough time, call the local domestic violence program and tell one of the advocates about your situation. Let the advocate help you determine the best safety plan for you and your children. Depending on the urgency of your situation a plan can be developed. If you are in extreme danger, the advocate might suggest you leave the dangerous environment as soon as possible. If your situation is less dangerous, the advocate might suggest an alternative safety plan. Will the domestic violence advocate really understand my situation? Although the domestic violence advocate might not understand what it's like to be Deaf, they will understand domestic violence and its dynamics. Remember, these advocates see and help victims of domestic violence 24 hours a day. They understand and believe what is happening to you. Advocates also receive special training about domestic violence before they can work with victims. Will any of the services I receive through the domestic violence program cost money? No. As long as you are a victim of domestic violence, all services are free of charge. Many things will be provided for you and your family while you are receiving services. If you are in shelter you will be given free meals, personal hygiene products, and even diapers for the baby if needed. Do I have to stay in the shelter to receive help from the domestic violence advocates? No. You and your family may access all the services provided by the domestic violence program, regardless of where you are staying. Services may include: legal advocacy, group or individual counseling for you and your children, or general advocacy and support. May I bring my children to the shelter? Yes. You are encouraged to bring your children. However, be advised that some domestic violence programs will not allow teenage boys to stay in shelter - always ask ahead of time and then ask for a recommendation on how to keep your son safe. Will I have to stay in the shelter all the time? No. You may leave to go to your job, run errands, or visit family. Be aware that all shelters have a curfew. This is done to help insure the safety of all that are sheltered. Is the shelter safe? Yes. Nearly all shelters keep the doors locked at all times and only shelter staff can open the front door to let people in. If your abuser is outside watching, the police will be called and the abuser will be removed. Will the domestic violence program tell my abuser or anyone else that I am staying in shelter or receiving services? No. Everything you discuss with the advocates is confidential as is the fact that you are staying in the shelter or receiving services. ALL SERVICES ARE CONFIDENTIAL! Will the domestic violence program have any equipment in place for Deaf/Hard of Hearing people? There is a strong possibility that they will not. Ask them to contact the Deaf Services Coordinator at the local Independent Living Center to educate them about this equipment and explain how to purchase it. (Sometimes the Independent Living Centers have programs set up to provide used equipment to those that need it.)
If you are providing services for domestic violence victims the following information will assist you when working with Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing domestic violence victim/survivors. UNDERSTANDING DEAF VICTIM/SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCETerminology used to refer to individuals who are disabled has evolved over the years from such crude references to the Deaf, as "deaf and dumb", to more accurate references as individuals with profound hearing impairments. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recognized in its title that people with disabilities were persons first, and disabled second. Therefore, to refer to someone as a "deaf person" is not in keeping with ADA terminology. However, it is important that one refer to individuals with disabilities in a way that is acceptable to them. Most often, hearing impaired adults refer to themselves as Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (HOH), rather than individuals with mild, moderate, or profound hearing impairments. Therefore, throughout this resource page, the terms Deaf and HOH are used. Although it is not customary in writing to capitalize the "D" in deaf, many Deaf persons prefer this as a means of expressing their pride as a member of a sign-language using community or culture. Out of respect for these feelings, Deaf is capitalized throughout this resource page. Service providers should be aware that even though the ADA includes the Deaf and HOH in their group of individuals with disabilities, who qualify for funding, not all persons with hearing impairments consider themselves disabled, nor do they want others to see them in that light. COMMUNICATION OPTIONSCommunication is an important component of everyone's life and possible choices for communication include a variety of symbol systems. For example, one may communicate in English through speaking, writing, listening and reading. Despite these skills, communication with someone whose only language is American Sign Language (ASL) is not possible. In the United States, Deaf people also use a variety of communication systems such as: speaking, *speechreading, writing, electronic and manual communication. Manual communication is a generic term referring to the use of manual signs and fingerspelling. The following is a partial list of communication options available to Deaf and HOH individuals.
This is not an all-inclusive listing of communication systems available to Deaf and HOH persons. There are a variety of systems of manual communication and within the last decade technology has expanded these options. It is imperative that service providers determine the usual mode of communication employed by each individual and make appropriate accommodations. It is not appropriate to use a pen and a pad of paper as your primary method of communicating with a Deaf/HOH victim. *Speechread, rather than lip-read, is more descriptive since the client is responding to facial expression and body language in addition to reading lips.
DEAF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION"Culture" may be defined in a variety of ways depending on the perspective of the one defining the term. Language in any culture is important. It is important to recognize that some communication systems used by the Deaf employ different rules. ASL, for example, "is a unique language that has its own grammatical rules and sentence structure. It is every bit as precise, versatile, and subtle as the English language. As a result, unless the service provider is fluent in ASL, valuable information may be misinterpreted or missed all together. The use of an interpreter when the service provider does not sign or is not a skilled signer is essential but must be done cautiously. Effective communication has never been more important than when service providers, counselors, or therapists communicate through interpreters. Even though most service providers may not be proficient signers, they need to become aware of various aspects of Deaf culture and some of the characteristics of ASL communication. When hearing providers adapt their behavior to be more accommodating to Deaf culture, they will be able to provide services more effectively. Here are a sampling of guidelines to consider: How a hearing person should address a Deaf person: Establish eye contact, don't start talking until the eye contact is made, tap on shoulder if needed, etc. Deaf Taking Turns: Folding one's arms while frowning and leaning back is a device used to invite someone to take a turn or to encourage a reticent individual to participate - this could be the opposite for hearing people . A shrug or open hands indicate one has nothing to say and gives the floor to someone else. Raised eyebrows with a smile or an open mouth ask for a turn when one has a sudden idea or inspiration. Hearing Taking Turns: Hearing people need to understand that only one person should speak at a time. This allows the Deaf person and the Interpreter to receive and provide effective communication. Turning One's Back: As has already been emphasized, maintaining visual contact is essential in ASL. If one wishes to insult another, all one needs to do is turn the head and close the eyes, thus cutting that person off. If someone needs to turn away, they demonstrate a sign with a fist with first finger out to say 'wait'. Then, go back to that person and resume, or tell the person who interrupts to wait until the other person is finish talking. Taking Another's Hand: Although it is acceptable to take another person's hand in greeting or to touch the hands of a person who is not signing, it is extremely rude to take another person's hand to stop them from signing. Sharing Information: Many members of the Deaf community do not attempt to hold private conversations in group settings. Generally, privacy is difficult in sign language. Once a conversation has begun, anyone who wishes, may join in or watch. Privacy can be had, by going behind closed doors. But secrecy, except as a joke, is not considered appropriate in the social setting of the Deaf community and so may be considered rude. Deaf people often think a hearing person's attitude toward privacy is infuriating and perplexing. Hugging: This is a common gesture among Deaf people and is intended only as a greeting or to bid good bye. Saying Goodbye: When a Deaf person finishes a conversation, they must explain where they are going and what they are going to do. The other person will then reciprocate. Conversations are never considered completely over until everyone leaves for the night, at which time people look for their friends to say good night to them. As might be expected, this process can take a long time. People almost always indicate when they will see each other again, sometimes repeating the date and the place several times. Leaving a social gathering too quickly might also deny someone the opportunity to talk to another; so indicating repeatedly that one is about to leave is a way of announcing to friends that if they want to say something they had better do so. Conversational Pattern: Interactions often begin informally and jokingly and end formally and seriously. The pace of conversation is rapid at the beginning - people say hello and get straight to the point - but ending the conversation is a gradual process. Getting to the point and being direct is never rude, as it sometimes is in hearing conversation. Ending abruptly, as is sometimes done in American English interchanges, may be construed to mean that the person ending the conversation does not care about the other person. This could be one source of hearing people's complaints that Deaf people are too blunt and likewise of Deaf people's feeling that hearing people do not care about them or talk down to them. This section on Deaf culture and communication provides only a small amount of the characteristics of Deaf communication that must be understood by service providers. Culture and communication are dynamic. Consequently, these characteristics are also always in a state of change.
DEAF SPECIFIC GENERAL INFORMATION WEBSITESDeaf Women United (DWU) National Association
of the Deaf (NAD) National Black Deaf Advocates, Inc.,
(NBDA) National
Asian Deaf Congress (NADC) Aztlan Intertribal Deaf
Council (IDC) Deaf
Queer Resource Center (DQRC) Rochester Institute of Technology's compilation of Deaf related websites Gallaudet University's Library of Deaf related resources The resources listed on this page are not comprehensive and/or all-inclusive. Each link above will open in a new browser window - NRCDV is not responsible for the content and/or viewpoints expressed on web sites external to VAWnet. |
VAWnet is a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence in collaborative partnership with the National Sexual Violence Resource Center 800-537-2238 TTY 800-553-2508 Fax 717-545-9456 |