The term “disability” covers many forms and levels of disability, including physical, developmental, and psychological disabilities.

People can be born with disabilities or a disability can result from a life or medical event. Disabilities can impact different areas of a person’s life, such as physical, cognitive, medical, and mental health.¹

Some examples of types of disabilities are:

• Medical: cancer, diabetes, HIV, epilepsy;
• Developmental: ADHD, autism, Down’s Syndrome;
• Mobility: cerebral palsy, stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis;
• Mental health: post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, major depressive disorder;
• Vision: Blindness, low vision; and
• Auditory: Deafness, hard of hearing.²  Note: It is important to acknowledge that many people in the Deaf community do not consider deafness to be a disability. Some people embrace the Deaf culture and consider themselves to be part of the unique cultural and linguistic minority who use sign language as their primary language.³

There are many other disabilities not listed here.

¹ World Report on Disability, National Institutes of Health (2011)
² Introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act, U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division
³ National Deaf Center

As a person with a disability, you may experience unique forms of abuse. Sometimes, the abusive acts may be difficult to recognize, making it even harder to get the kind of help needed. Such abuse may include:

• removing or destroying your mobility devices – for example, wheelchairs, scooters, walkers;
• destroying devices for communication;
• taking away or denying you access to your prescribed medication;
• forcing you to take medication against your will;
• refusing to provide you with personal care or hygiene;
• preventing your access to food;
• inappropriately touching you while assisting with bathing or dressing;
• denying you access to disability-related resources in the community or health care appointments;
• physically harming your service animal; or
• financially exploiting you or misusing your money.¹

¹ Facts & Resources on Abuse of Women with Disabilities, American Psychological Association

As a person with a disability, it may be hard for you to find help because you may face barriers that other victims may not. Some particular barriers you may experience are: 

• physical and social isolation, particularly in institutional settings, which can lead to a lack of knowledge about available services and resources, as well as a lack of awareness of legal rights;
• limited access to services due to a lack of resources, transportation, or physical barriers at service locations;
• lack of the skills or abilities that would be needed to seek help independently;
• lack of access to information about domestic violence services that are tailored to your needs or that are available in accessible formats such as Braille, large print, or audio tapes;
• the risk of losing your only source of care, if you report the abuse by your primary caretaker;
• the possibility of facing institutionalization or loss of decision-making rights if seen as unable to care for yourself without the help of the abuser;
• a greater risk of losing custody of your children if you are viewed as being unable to care for children independently from an abusive caretaker;
• the justice system’s prejudice against victims with disabilities can deny you access to justice in the courts;
• limited self-advocacy and access to decision-making processes;
• belief in the myth that you cannot make choices or determine for yourself what is best for you in all areas of life, including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, political, sexual, and financial; and
• the perception that you are “suffering” and that people need to be kind to you rather than extending legal rights and protections, as with other oppressed groups.¹

¹ Domestic violence and disabilities, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Guidry Tyiska, C., Working with Victims of Crime with Disabilities, Office for Victims of Crime

If you need more information or help, here are some resources that may be helpful. If you believe some of these can support you, please reach out to them to see what information or services they offer:

• National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline (NDDVH) is available to Deaf callers nationwide, answering videophone calls and emails 24/7. Deaf advocates, because of their experience working in the field of domestic violence for Deaf survivors and their extensive training, are uniquely able to provide crisis intervention, education, information, and referrals for Deaf callers.

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information Line: 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY). Funded by the Department of Justice to provide information about the ADA, callers can ask how the ADA may apply to their situation.

• Disabled American Vets, 877-426-2838 or DAV.org, assists veterans and their families regarding finding benefits, transitioning to civilian life, and offering support to underserved populations.

• For the Alzheimer’s Association Helpline, you can call 800-272-3900 or 711, or visit alz.org to chat with a member of the Helpline staff.    
• End Abuse of People with Disabilities activates people and organizations across movements to end violence against people with disabilities and Deaf people through a shared, intersectional framework.
• The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.¹
• Barrier Free Living is an agency committed to providing safe shelter and support services to survivors of domestic violence with disabilities.

¹ Kippert, A., A guide to domestic violence and disabilities, Domesticshelters.org (2023)