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My Turn: The deaf and domestic violence | burlingtonfreepress.com | The Burlington Free Press
We all know there is problem with domestic violence in our society, but imagine if you were deaf and experiencing domestic violence. Deaf people are at risk for being long-term victims of domestic violence. There are several issues and barriers that deaf people face and fortunately Vermont is one of the few states that have services specifically for deaf persons experiencing domestic violence.
Some specific issues that deaf people face are:
Vermont has a small deaf community (2,000 deaf people who use American Sign Language throughout Vermont). This can compromise a deaf person's privacy within the community, especially if both the abuser and victim are deaf. Most deaf people have not been taught about domestic violence or how to respond to it, so the victim may feel isolated from their peers. It makes it even harder to keep secret plans and move away or hide from the abuser as its common for news to travel in the local community to other deaf people very quickly.
Often times, access to information is limited through written materials as reading levels of deaf people vary and they may not understand where to seek assistance. Also, public service announcements through the radio and TV are not accessible. If the deaf person decides to leave the abusive relationship, they encounter barriers with hearing service providers.
Barriers include:
Hearing people who may have an attitude towards deaf people and view deafness from a medical perspective, focusing on the hearing problems rather than viewing deaf people as being members of a cultural and linguistic community. Most deaf people do not view themselves as being disabled from a medical perspective, but more of having a culture and a way of communicating that is not recognized by the dominant hearing culture.
Communication between the hearing service providers and the deaf person can make encounters awkward and embarrassing and can add to reasons why more deaf people don't seek assistance. Deaf people communicate in several ways (ASL, writing and lip-reading), and it depends on the deaf person on how they want to communicate. Regardless of the type of hearing loss, it is critical that staff members identify the client's preferred means of communication and accommodate that.
Some hearing agencies do not have TTY's (teletypewriter) available for deaf people to call. In addition, deaf people sometimes feel uncomfortable using domestic violence shelters because no one there uses sign language. Shelters are designed for group activities and ongoing staff/resident interaction, which can further isolate the deaf person.
In 2000, Deaf Vermonters Advocacy Services (DVAS), formerly known as Deaf Victims Advocacy Services, was established in Vermont. DVAS is confidential, advocates with you, uses the empowerment philosophy and has knowledge of the legal and medical systems.
In 2007, DVAS expanded their services not only to assist with domestic and sexual violence, but also to assist with fraud; DUI; discrimination; complaints against police, hospitals, or the court system; divorce; child custody; and general accessibility issues. DVAS now has both a deaf advocate and a hard-of-hearing advocate for people who either do use or do not use sign language. Also, the director trains police, hospitals, courts and agencies that come into contact with those who have a hearing loss. DVAS serves statewide, has a 24-hour hot line and serves all women, men and children who have a hearing loss.
For more information about Deaf Vermonters Advocacy Services, go to DVAS: Deaf Vermonters Advocacy Services or call 877-594-3086 (voice). DVAS is a program under the Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Amber Wilhelm of Barre is an outreach specialist for Deaf Vermonters Advocacy Services with the Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
We all know there is problem with domestic violence in our society, but imagine if you were deaf and experiencing domestic violence. Deaf people are at risk for being long-term victims of domestic violence. There are several issues and barriers that deaf people face and fortunately Vermont is one of the few states that have services specifically for deaf persons experiencing domestic violence.
Some specific issues that deaf people face are:
Vermont has a small deaf community (2,000 deaf people who use American Sign Language throughout Vermont). This can compromise a deaf person's privacy within the community, especially if both the abuser and victim are deaf. Most deaf people have not been taught about domestic violence or how to respond to it, so the victim may feel isolated from their peers. It makes it even harder to keep secret plans and move away or hide from the abuser as its common for news to travel in the local community to other deaf people very quickly.
Often times, access to information is limited through written materials as reading levels of deaf people vary and they may not understand where to seek assistance. Also, public service announcements through the radio and TV are not accessible. If the deaf person decides to leave the abusive relationship, they encounter barriers with hearing service providers.
Barriers include:
Hearing people who may have an attitude towards deaf people and view deafness from a medical perspective, focusing on the hearing problems rather than viewing deaf people as being members of a cultural and linguistic community. Most deaf people do not view themselves as being disabled from a medical perspective, but more of having a culture and a way of communicating that is not recognized by the dominant hearing culture.
Communication between the hearing service providers and the deaf person can make encounters awkward and embarrassing and can add to reasons why more deaf people don't seek assistance. Deaf people communicate in several ways (ASL, writing and lip-reading), and it depends on the deaf person on how they want to communicate. Regardless of the type of hearing loss, it is critical that staff members identify the client's preferred means of communication and accommodate that.
Some hearing agencies do not have TTY's (teletypewriter) available for deaf people to call. In addition, deaf people sometimes feel uncomfortable using domestic violence shelters because no one there uses sign language. Shelters are designed for group activities and ongoing staff/resident interaction, which can further isolate the deaf person.
In 2000, Deaf Vermonters Advocacy Services (DVAS), formerly known as Deaf Victims Advocacy Services, was established in Vermont. DVAS is confidential, advocates with you, uses the empowerment philosophy and has knowledge of the legal and medical systems.
In 2007, DVAS expanded their services not only to assist with domestic and sexual violence, but also to assist with fraud; DUI; discrimination; complaints against police, hospitals, or the court system; divorce; child custody; and general accessibility issues. DVAS now has both a deaf advocate and a hard-of-hearing advocate for people who either do use or do not use sign language. Also, the director trains police, hospitals, courts and agencies that come into contact with those who have a hearing loss. DVAS serves statewide, has a 24-hour hot line and serves all women, men and children who have a hearing loss.
For more information about Deaf Vermonters Advocacy Services, go to DVAS: Deaf Vermonters Advocacy Services or call 877-594-3086 (voice). DVAS is a program under the Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Amber Wilhelm of Barre is an outreach specialist for Deaf Vermonters Advocacy Services with the Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.