The training and services to end violence and abuse against women with disabilities and deaf people grant program (disability program) is authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20122

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women awarded Weave Inc., a non-profit organization in Sacramento, CA, a $607,500 Cooperative Agreement grant under the Education, Training, and Enhanced Services to End Violence Against and Abuse of Women with Disabilities program (CFDA 16.529). The goal of the grant is to create sustainable improvements in the response to individuals with disabilities and Deaf individuals who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Key initiatives under the grant include:

1. Promoting physical access and enhancing safety at Weave and the Society for the Blind through accessibility upgrades, training tools, operational guides, and outreach.
2. Developing best practices for policies and procedures on safety, confidentiality, and mandatory reporting to institutionalize accessibility.
3. Building the capacity of Weave and the Society for the Blind to effectively and safely serve survivors who are blind or low vision through comprehensive training and peer-to-peer learning.

The 3-year grant period runs from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2026 and involves collaboration between Weave and the Society for the Blind to strengthen partnerships and maintain a multidisciplinary team to enhance services for individuals with disabilities who are victims of violence and abuse.

The goal of the disability grant program is to create sustainable change within and between organizations that improves the response to individuals with disabilities and deaf individuals who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and to hold perpetrators of such crimes accountable. Weave will collaborate with the society for the blind to strengthen partnerships and maintain or enhance a multidisciplinary collaborative team, known as shared vision sacramento; increase organizational capacity to provide accessible, safe, and effective services to individuals with disabilities and deaf individuals who are victims of violence and abuse; identify needs within the grantees organization and/or service area; and develop a plan that addresses those identified needs and builds a strong foundation for future work. Shared vision sacramento is a project benefiting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault who are blind or low vision. Shared vision sacramento will implement three initiatives during this project period. Initiative 1: promote physical access and enhance safety at weave and society for the blind. Develop training tools for adaptive technology available at weave. Complete shared operational guide to help staff at weave and society for the blind to safely navigate serving survivors who are blind or low vision. Complete audio recordings regarding weave services for society for the blinds access news program. Initiative 2: create best practices regarding policies and procedures that address safety and accessibility for survivors who are blind or low vision. Conduct a review of weaves policies and procedures to ensure accessibility is institutionalized. Conduct an analysis of confidentiality and information sharing procedures. Review mandatory reporting policies for dependent adults. Evaluate and update safety procedures at society for the blind. Evaluate society for the blinds intake process. Develop protocols for screening for domestic and sexual violence and how to respond to disclosures of abuse. Review and update the society for the blind student handbook to reflect the commitment to create a safe environment for survivors who are blind or low vision. Initiative 3: build the capacity of weave and society for the blind to respond and serve survivors who are blind or low vision effectively and safely. Create a comprehensive training for weave and society for the blind and deliver to all employees. Create opportunities for peer-to-peer learning between weave and society for the blind.