Domestic Violence Initiative for Women with Disabilities

Through the Direct Service and Outreach programs; The Initiative strives to support and empower survivors as they overcome barriers to safety and to create abuse-free culture for all. The Initiative is the only organization in Colorado, and one of a few in the United States, providing the specialized services that are so critical to abuse survivors with disabilities.

Goal 1: The Initiative’s advocates will provide advocacy to survivors of abuse with disabilities in Colorado to help them to know more ways to plan for their safety, feel more self-sufficient, access justice, and ultimately, live a life free of violence.

Objective 1.1: The Initiative’s advocates will provide safety planning and safety-related services to 250 primary and secondary survivors with disabilities from January 1 through to December 31, 2022. The intended outcome is that 90% of the survivors served in Colorado will know more ways to plan for their safety.
Objective 1.2: The Initiative’s advocates will provide and coordinate self-sufficiency services for the basic needs 250 primary and secondary survivors with disabilities in Colorado from January 1 through to December 31, 2022. This service will help survivors with the means to be more self-sufficient. The Intended outcome is that 90% of the survivors that The Initiative serves will feel more self-sufficient.

Goal 2: The Initiative will work to raise community awareness and increase community knowledge about the effects of crime on people with disabilities. The Initiative will also encourage and promote community collaborations. These efforts will improve the safety, healing, and justice of survivors with disabilities in Colorado.

Objective 2.1: The Initiative’s Outreach team will conduct six trainings for law enforcement and/or victim service units in Colorado from January 1 through to December 31, 2022. The intended outcome is that survey results will show that 90% of attendees have a better understanding of abuse and the vulnerability to a crime that of people with disabilities face. Survey results will also show that 90% of attendees will incorporate the knowledge gained from this training into their work.
Objective 2.2: The Initiative’s Outreach Team will facilitate 12 presentations to community service providers in Colorado between January 1 to December 31, 2022. The intended outcome is that 90% of the attendees know more ways to advocate for and/or communicate with victims with disabilities, and 90% of attendees will want to collaborate with The Initiative in the future.

The Initiative has 35 years of experience in serving abuse survivors with disabilities and community training on the intersection of abuse and disability. The surveys are the best way to show the impact of The Initiative’s work to showcase the organization’s capabilities. The client surveys reported that 100% reported that they received the service they were seeking from The Initiative; 96% know more ways to plan for safety; 91.5% know more about community resources; 86% are better aware of the cycle of violence and warning signs; 85.5% feels more self-sufficient, and 87.6% knows more about their rights and options.
The hallmarks of The Initiative’s accomplishments in advocacy are reflected in the survivor's very own words.
“Thank you for your compassion and listening ear. Casey has provided amazing and inspiring insight regarding each of the complex issues I am dealing with. She taught me that though I am disabled, I am still valuable and still able.”

“Advocacy through The Initiative has made me feel more supported which helps manage the current situational factors. I do not feel as isolated. It helps immensely to know that the situation my son and I are in is acknowledged and not minimized or dismissed. I also appreciate disability awareness and additional supports that are provided to accommodate needs. I have made outreach to many DV agencies in Colorado over the past 12 years. These agencies did not inform me of my rights or legal options, or acknowledge my need for guided steps, accommodating pace, and direct advocacy due to disability. Due to trauma, I have difficulty strongly advocating for myself and my child. The Initiative understands the additional support I need in advocacy - I am not just being referred to a website or a court information center for self-advocacy. I appreciate the understanding and patience I have received - and look forward to working with the Initiative towards my goal of safety for my son and myself so that we can heal from our experiences in a safe manner without constant threat to our health and stability.”


The Initiative has met its goal of providing deep, intersectional, and comprehensive education regarding disability and abuse. The audience has reported that 100% of attendees stated the material presented was relevant and useful in their work; 100% stated they now know more ways to advocate for domestic violence survivors with disabilities; and 100% of reported having a better understanding of the vulnerabilities of people with disabilities.

We have been initiated two new programs this year. The rural and bi-cultural programs have allowed us to cover more of Colorado both in services, advocacy and outreach for training.