Strategies for Successful Interactions with People with Disabilities: Bringing Visibility to Invisible Disabilities

Monday, October 21, 2024

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET

Location: 204AB

Submitter and Speaker(s)

Leigh Anne McKingsley, MSSW, MPA

Senior Director of Disability and Justice Initiatives
The Arc's National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability
Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Speaker(s)

Russell Lehmann

Motivational Speaker
Los Angeles, California, United States
Jessica Scullin

Supervisory Policy Analyst
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Erica Harris

Disability Inclusion Training Specialist
University of Cincinnati University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

Sometimes, what we do not see is more important than what we do see. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face high rates of victimization and criminalization because criminal justice systems are underequipped to effectively recognize, understand, support, and protect them. The session includes perspectives from disability experts and people with IDD to discuss strategies to effectively reduce bias and improve communication, de-escalation, and accommodation of legal obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Panelists will discuss ways to improve training, promote cultural competence, and strengthen partnerships between law enforcement and disability agencies to create more inclusive communities for all.