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New booklet aims to help disabled understand abuse Brier Dodge brier.dodge@metroland.com
ing abused in any way, and resources they or their families can access for help. “It’s a parent that can say, ‘You know what? Stay in your crappy diaper,’� said Michelle Boyer. “But a lot of them think if they say something,
they will lose the help.� Disabled people are also more susceptible to romance fraud, both Boyers said. A person who is more isolated due to their disability is more likely to go online to make friends or communicate or potential romantic partners. But fraudsters will often target the vulnerable, and ask for money to be transferred for some sort of emergency, or to cover travel costs to come see them. The fraudster is often a to-
tally different person, who may not even live in North America, let alone the same city. CODA ambassadors are hoping to be able to give as many workshops and present the information in the booklet at different community events and to a variety of groups to make people aware. To download the booklet, visit www.crimepreventionottawa.ca. To order print copies, email cpo@ ottawa.ca.
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Daniel Boyer with the new booklet produced by Connecting on Disability and Abuse with help from Crime Prevention Ottawa. The booklet helps people understand the different types of abuse against people with disabilities.
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News - Daniel Boyer has been able to deal with tough situations thrown his way because of his knowledge of resources available to him. Not everyone in the same boat as the east-Ottawa man living with cerebral palsy is as fortunate to be aware of the help available to them. That means there could be more prolonged abuse. “The disabled community is vulnerable, and people can abuse us more,� he said. “They’re more attracted to vulnerable communities.� Boyer is the co-chair of the Connecting on Disability and Abuse group, which put together a brochure about disability abuse awareness with Crime Prevention Ottawa; it’s the first document of its kind in the city. Boyer has run several workshops and set up booths at events alongside his wife, Michelle Boyer, a CODA ambassador. Recently, they faced their own situation, where elevator repairs in their building would leave Boyer unable to leave his home for several weeks. After fighting tooth and nail, they contacted resources they were aware of to help find a resolution to the situation, and place the couple in an accessible unit in another building until the elevator could be fixed. “I was abused in a way, but because I knew my rights, it’s why I’m here today,� he said. “But other people with disabilities, they don’t know to literally fight for their rights.� The new booklet that the group has produced features different fictional stories about abuse, based on true situations. They range from a grandchild taking financial advantage of a grandparent to a home support worker threatening a disabled client. It was based on a booklet produced in British Columbia, who gave permission for the model to be used and modified for Ontario laws and Ottawa resources.
“We’re tapping an unmet need,� said Nancy Worsfold, Crime Prevention Ottawa’s executive director. “We’ve already had orders for 1,500 booklets.� It gives information on what a disabled person should do if they are be-
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