Group receives $50,000 grant to help disabled womenÂ*(Can.)

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Group receives $50,000 grant to help disabled womenÂ*
Regina Sun
Sunday, January 26, 2003

SASKATOON -- Women with disabilities are among the most vulnerable people in our society and they often have nowhere to turn for help, according to the Saskatchewan Voice of People with Disabilities.

The association has received a $50,000 federal government grant to come up with ways over the next 17 months to change the plight of these women.

"We plan on developing some information booklets and so on to help people who are working with women to better understand disability and the abuse that a woman with disability would be experiencing," said Bev Duncan, executive director of The Saskatchewan Voice of People of Disabilities in Regina.

Crisis workers, other care providers and family members will be targeted with the educational campaign in the hope that they and their organizations will modify their programs.

The abuse women face ranges from name calling and intimidation to physical and sexual abuse. In many cases, the abusers are caregivers and family members, according to Duncan.

An Alberta study showed 83 per cent of women with disabilities will be sexually abused at some time in their lives. The same study indicated 88 per cent of victims knew their abusers, with 39 per cent of abusers being the women's partners or spouses.

The association is concerned that in Saskatchewan disabled women who are sexually and physically abused have no place to go and no transportation because of their unique needs.

The details of the project haven't been worked out, as part of the project involves conducting focus groups with disabled women. The association is looking for women interested in participating in these groups, which will discuss and identify issues of concern.

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