Vulnerable Adult Resources: Spanish Language and Audio

One of the guiding principles of the vulnerable adult abuse field is self-determination. Yet how does one ensure that even competent adults are making fully-informed choices? It can be even more difficult to support people in becoming fully informed if they don’t speak English, cannot read, or have one or more mental illnesses.

That’s what makes ASAP’s list of fact sheets so valuable: some come in audiotape, many come in Spanish, and most were prepared specifically with persons with disabilities in mind.

ASAP (A Safety Awareness Program) is a program of the Austin-based domestic violence program, SafePace. Their website at www.austin-safeplace.org/programs/disability/ contains an excellent collection of resources for empowerment, including a resource list of materials on sexuality, abuse and violence prevention, and disability. They also offer a long list of specific fact sheets and resources, including:

In Spanish:

• Checklist for People with Disabilities -- What to Take with You When You Leave an Abusive Relationship
• Dynamics of Caregiver Abuse
• Facts about Guardianship
• General Facts about Sexual Abuse and People with Mental Retardation
• Indicators or Reactions to Abuse or Neglect
• Personal Safety Planning for Explosive Incidents
• Red Flags for an Abusive or Potentially Abusive Caregiver
• Safety Planning for Persons with Disabilities Preparing to Leave an Abusive Situation
• Screening Practices for Hiring People to Work with Individuals with Disabilities in Need of Support
• Similarities and Differences in Domestic Violence for People With and Without Disabilities
• Tips for Communicating with Survivors with Developmental Disabilities
• Tips for Working with Sexual Assault Survivors who have Disabilities

On Audiotape:

• Checklist for People with Disabilities -- What to Take with You When You Leave an Abusive Relationship
• General Facts about Sexual Abuse and People with Mental Retardation
• Identifiers of Caregiver Abuse
• Personal Safety Planning for Explosive Incidents
• Questions to Consider When Hiring Your Own Personal Care Attendants
• Red Flags for an Abusive or Potentially Abusive Caregiver
• Safety Planning for Persons with Disabilities Preparing to Leave an Abusive Situation
• Tips for Communicating with Survivors with Developmental Disabilities
• Tips for Staying Safe from Sexual Assault
• Tips on What to Do if an Individual with a Disability Discloses Abuse
• Tips to Consider When Hiring Personal Care Attendants

On Mental Illness and Domestic Violence:

• General Information about Domestic Violence and Persons with Mental Illness
• Strategies for Working with Domestic Violence Survivors with Mental Illness

Single copies of fact sheets are free. Multiple copies (up to 25) are $3 per title.

Order from:
SafePlace
P.O. Box 19454
Austin, Texas 78760
512-385-0662 (fax)