NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence

If you Need Help or if you wish to speak to a Domestic Violence Counselor, please refer to our 24 hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline whose numbers are listed below.

Improving Services for Women with Disabilities who are Abused:
A Collaborative Project

The New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NYSCADV) partnered with the Center for Disability Rights (CDR) and the Empire Justice Center (formerly known as the Greater Upstate Law Project), to improve services for women with disabilities who are abused. Building Bridges was an exciting and unique statewide initiative that allowed our three organizations to draw upon our relative expertise to help create an informed, educated, and inter-connected community of domestic violence and disability rights advocates in New York State who provide services to women who are abused with disabilities.

Our project's goal included the ability to reduce or eliminate the physical, programmatic, and attitudinal barriers that hinder women with disabilities' access to, and utilization of, essential crisis and support services.

We have resources and services for programs including a training curriculum, Comprehensive Self-Assessment Tool to assist Domestic Violence Shelters and Programs in Evaluating their Architectural and Programmatic Accessibility, and a listserv for advocates from domestic violence programs and disability-relate services.

NYSCADV is available to:

Provide Technical Assistance and Education

Conduct and facilitate Cross-Trainings for Domestic Violence and Disability Advocates

NYSCADV has established a Listserv for the Exchange of Information, Ideas, and Resources Among Domestic Violence Program Advocates, Disability-related Service Organizations, and Deaf Service Providers.

The cross-trainings have created a well-connected, knowledgeable community of disability and domestic violence advocates throughout New York State. To ensure that the voices of women and the experiences of both domestic violence and disability programs/organizations are heard, understood, and utilized a Statewide Planning Committee (SPC) has been created to provide oversight and guidance.

Women with disabilities who are abused often face more challenges and fewer options, usually making them less likely to access services. These trainings will provide an opportunity to begin networking and sharing information regarding the different needs, various challenges, and unique legal rights of women with disabilities. Continual collaboration between the disabilities and domestic violence communities is vital to ensuring that women with disabilities who are abused are able to access the services they need. The individual expertise of our organizations, coupled with the existing working relationships between the partners, provides a strong basis as we train each other and share knowledge.

This initiative is funded through the United States Department of Justice's Violence Against Women Act. For more information about this project, please contact the Coalition at (518) 482-5465 or email nyscadv@nyscadv.org.

If you have any questions regarding current or future trainings or events, or if you wish to inquire about NYSCADV Membership, making a Donation , or for general assistance please contact our office:

NYSCADV
350 New Scotland Avenue
Albany New York, 12208
Phone: 518-482-5465
Fax: 518-482-3807
Email: nyscadv@nyscadv.org