First Response to Victims of Crime Who Have a Disability

October 2002

A Handbook for Law Enforcement Officers
on How To Approach and Help Crime Victims

Who Have
Alzheimer’s Disease
Mental Illness
Mental Retardation

Or Who Are
Blind or Visually Impaired
Deaf or Hard of Hearing

U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
810 Seventh Street NW.
Washington, DC 20531

John Ashcroft
Attorney General

Deborah J. Daniels
Assistant Attorney General

John W. Gillis
Director, Office for Victims of Crime

NCJ 195500

Order this OVC publication using the NCJRS Online Ordering System.

This handbook was prepared by the National Sheriffs’ Association under grant number 97–VF–GX–0002, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

PDF File

Contents:

Message From the Director

Acknowledgements

I. Basic Guidelines on First Response to Victims of Crime Who Have a Disability

II. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

III. Crime Victims Who Have Alzheimer’s Disease

IV. Crime Victims Who Have Mental Illness

V. Crime Victims Who Have Mental Retardation

VII. Crime Victims Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

VIII. Directory of Service Providers

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This publication is provided solely as an information resource and is not intended to serve as legal advice or assistance. Although a professional effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents, no warranty is expressed or implied.