Some people with disability such as those with psychosocial or intellectual disability are more likely to experience violence. Women with disability report higher rates of sexual violence and intimate partner violence than their male counterparts. Men with disability report higher rates of physical violence.
Studies show that people with disabilities are more likely to experience abuse than people without them. Abuse is premised on power and control, and people with disabilities often face specific barriers to accessing help that make them more vulnerable to abuse.
People with disabilities are often in particularly vulnerable circumstances. Certain disabilities, particularly physical disabilities, may decrease their ability to physically defend themselves and escape from abuse. Other disabilities can limit a person's ability to understand and recognise potential signs of abuse.
Studies have shown that disabled women are twice as likely to experience domestic abuse and are also twice as likely to suffer assault and rape.
Children and adults with care and support needs are more likely to be at risk of abuse. Adults can be at risk because of a number of reasons. They may: be getting older.
The person may have learning or physical disabilities or mental health issues. Or they may be at risk of abuse because of their age, frailty or illness. A person's vulnerability and risk of being abused also depends upon their circumstances.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, approximately 30 percent of individuals with disabilities who need assistance with daily care, maintaining health and safety, and accessing the community have experienced some form of mistreatment.
However, some children may feel a lot of frustration related to their developmental disability. This frustration is sometimes shown through aggression or even self-harming behaviors, such as banging their head or cutting their skin. Other children have conditions that are more directly connected to aggressive behavior.
This can take many forms, from convincing them to extract cash from an ATM, to manipulating them to grant them financial power of attorney, to outright theft of valuables and other assets. They may accomplish this through deception or threats. Schemes from unethical outsiders are also notorious.
What disabled people need from non-disabled people is some of what everyone seems to expect from us: understanding, patience, and resilience.
People with disabilities have the same needs we all do: first and foremost among them is to be treated with dignity and respect. When you interact with people with disabilities, focus on their abilities, not their disabilities.
What financial exploitation is. Financial exploitation occurs when someone improperly uses the money, assets or resources of a person with disabilities or an older adult to the abuser's advantage or to the disadvantage of the person with disabilities or older adult.
Healthcare accessibility is arguably one of the most important issues facing the disabled community, as PWDs are more likely to require healthcare services and need physical therapy to improve their health.
Key issues for people with disabilities
They are often socially isolated, with fewer opportunities to take part in community life. Mental health problems and mental illness are among the greatest causes of disability, diminished quality of life and reduced productivity.
According to research by Scope in 2014, “67% of people feel uncomfortable when talking to a disabled person.” This awkwardness often stems from a fear of seeming patronizing or saying the wrong thing, or a lack of life experiences with individuals with disabilities.
Results. Women and men with disabilities were less likely than their non-disabled peers to report being happy and to be satisfied with their life. These differences were evident in all countries for women and in 18 of 22 countries for men.
Many Adults with Disabilities Report Frequent Mental Distress. A recent study found that adults with disabilities report experiencing more mental distress than those without disabilities.
Mental health problems are the leading cause of disability worldwide, say experts at PAHO Directing Council side event.
The term 'Toxic Trio' has been used to describe the issues of domestic abuse, mental ill-health and substance misuse which have been identified as common features of families where harm to children and adults has occurred.
Who is Affected by Trauma? Trauma has no boundaries regarding age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Trauma is a common experience for adults and children in American communities, and it is especially common in the lives of people with mental and substance use disorders.
Age; health; and physical, mental, emotional, and social development are factors that may increase a child's vulnerability to maltreatment.
Ableism is the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior.
“Persons with disabilities” is a more neutral term than “differently abled”. The term “special” used in relation to persons with disabilities is commonly rejected, as it is considered offensive and condescending because it euphemistically stigmatizes that which is different.
NCDJ Recommendation: The term “non-disabled” and the phrases “does not have a disability” or “is not living with a disability” are more neutral choices. “Able-bodied” is an appropriate term to use in some cases, such as when referring to government reports on the proportion of able-bodied members in the workforce.