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Safety

Staying safe means knowing how to avoid common dangers and what to do in an emergency. It also means understanding your rights and knowing when you are in danger, being treated unfairly, or taken advantage of, and knowing who to talk to about it. 

Note: The first of eight “guiding principles” of the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states: “Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one’s own choices, and independence of persons.” 

This is called the Dignity of Risk. It means that being able to make your own choices and take reasonable risks is important for feeling respected and confident. Finding a balance between making your own choices and staying safe is important. 

A supported decision-making plan is when you have a trusted person to help you with… 

  • Understanding your rights, spotting abuse, neglect, or being taken advantage of, and thinking about the good and bad of risky choices. 
  • Understanding or talking about your rights, bullying, abuse, neglect, or being taken advantage of. 
  • Recognizing signs of danger. 
  • Having close relationships and knowing your limits. 
  • Avoiding harm, dealing with bullying, staying safe, using social media wisely, and more. 

Click the image below to view and download the Supported Decision-Making Plan Resource Guide. 

Safety from abuse, neglect, and exploitation means making sure you are protected from being hurt or used unfairly.  

Click the image below to view and download the Preventing Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Resource Guide. 

 

Homes can be made safer with items like smoke detectors, auto-shut off stoves, good lighting, and nonslip rugs.  

Click the image below to view and download the Home Safety Resource Guide. 

 

Assistive and Adaptive Technology are two types of technology that help people with disabilities. Assistive technology is any tool or device that helps people with disabilities do things they find difficult. Adaptive technology changes regular tools or devices to help people with disabilities use them more easily. Both types of technology help people with disabilities live more independently. For example: 

  • Privacy settings and parental controls are features on many devices, websites, accounts, and apps that let you control who can see your profile and what they can see. They also help limit screen time, spending, content, and communication. 
  • Safes and lockboxes are strong containers made to stop people from getting inside. They come in different sizes and types, like fireproof and waterproof ones. They’re good for keeping medicines, cleaning supplies, and other dangerous things safe. 
  • A Medical Alert System, also known as a personal emergency response system (PERS), is a wearable device like a bracelet or pendant with a button that calls for help in an emergency. It’s also important to put ICE (In Case of Emergency) information on your cell phone. This should match your healthcare POA if you have one. 

Click the image below to view and download the Assistive and Adaptive Technology Resource Guide 

 

Trained service animals can help their owners stay safe by recognizing and avoiding specific dangers. They can detect changes in heart rate or blood pressure or identify allergens. 

  • Visit the ADA website for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about service animals.