Accessible Shelters for Survivors of Domestic Violence with Paralysis

Domestic violence is a public health issue affecting millions of families across the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 41 percent of women and 26 percent of men have experienced acts of sexual violence, stalking and physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. People living with disabilities, and especially women, face higher rates of abuse and violent crime than those without disabilities.

Emergency housing can provide a critical bridge for people leaving violent relationships, but accessibility can vary widely from shelter to shelter. Some shelters located in older buildings may offer only the most basic aspects of access, such as a ramped entrance, while newer construction built to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may feature levered doorknobs and adapted bathroom and shower facilities.

All shelters operated by a state or local government agency are required by the ADA to be accessible to people with disabilities. Private shelters operated by non-profit organizations are also subject to the ADA and prohibited from discriminating against clients with disabilities; services provided to people without disabilities must be provided to those with disabilities. (e.g. if transportation to the shelter is offered to women without disabilities, it must be offered to women with disabilities.)

It is important for people with paralysis to understand their rights under the ADA when seeking help from domestic violence prevention agencies, both public and private. Whether the person in need of shelter is a survivor of domestic violence or an accompanying child living with a disability, the ADA mandates that reasonable accommodations must be made to support access and use of the shelter and services. Necessary medical equipment must be allowed even if the shelter has an item limit per person. Policies prohibiting pets in shelters do not apply to service animals, which must be allowed under federal law.

There are many resources available at the national, state, and local level to help domestic violence survivors living with paralysis find emergency housing. The following tips can help those in need safely search for accessible shelters, identify organizations that offer support services and crisis intervention, and create a safety plan for leaving.

SAFELY SEARCHING FOR RESOURCES AND REACHING OUT FOR HELP

Computer and telephone usage may be monitored by an abusive partner. Before searching for domestic violence-related resources, review these tips to help minimize any digital footprint.

• Delete browsing history (and cookies and toolbar search) for all domestic violence-related webpages. (Keep general search history intact so the abuser doesn’t grow suspicious.)
• National and local domestic violence prevention websites will almost always feature an “escape” button. Clicking this button will immediately close the screen and replace it with a neutral website such as Google.
• For websites without an “escape” button, the shortcut command for a quick exit is CONTROL+W on a PC and COMMAND+W on a Mac.
• Phone use may be monitored by an abusive partner. Delete phone calls and texts related to shelter searches or safety planning. (Be aware that partners on shared accounts can request records from phone companies.)