Programs
Advocacy
Counseling
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Positive Parenting Program
Transitional Housing Program
Children's Program
Education and Consultation Services
Advocacy
ADWAS has advocates on staff to assist people who are victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and need help. Services are free of charge and available to people who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind or Hard of Hearing and residents of King, Pierce or Snohomish County.
Advocates can:
- Offer information and options
- Help you decide your safety plan
- Help you deal with people involved in your situation such as:
- lawyers
- hospitals
- CPS
- counselors and housing systems
- Help you learn about victims rights, and the rights of Deaf people to have interpreters and fair access to all systems.
We will help victims whether the police are involved or not, no matter if you want to leave the abuser or not, no matter what. We will work with you for as long as you want, until you feel 100% safe.
If you would like to contact an advocate please e-mail them at adwas@adwas.org
Counseling
The counseling program offers victims of domestic violence and sexual assault the following services:
- Short-term crisis counseling
- On-going individual/family therapy related to domestic violence & sexual assault
- Group counseling related to childhood sexual assault and domestic violence
- Psychosocial assessments and evaluation of sexual abuse of children
- Client advocacy and referrals
National Domestic Violence TTY Hotline
The National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) is available to Deaf callers across the nation. ADWAS partners with NDVH, whose headquarters are located in Austin Texas, to provide this valuable service for Deaf callers nationwide.
Deaf NDVH advocates at ADWAS answer videophone calls, instant messages and emails Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, PST
The 24 hour TTY line is answered 24 hours in Austin, Texas by hearing advocates.
Deaf advocates, because of their experience working in the field of Domestic Violence for Deaf survivors and their extensive training, are uniquely able to provide crisis intervention, education, information and referrals for Deaf callers.
What we can do:
We can listen, provide information and referrals, do Domestic Violence education and brainstorm with callers different ways to keep safe and do formal safety planning.
We also can work with Deaf and hearing friends and family member of Deaf survivors.
We provide support, education and technical assistance for hearing Domestic Violence programs and shelters to improve their accessibility for Deaf survivors who need their services.
Deaf advocates additionally provide outreach within the Deaf community to spread awareness of this special program and information about how and when to reach us.
If you have a family member or friend who needs help, refer them to the TTY Hotline. If you need help, contact us by any of the following ways:
IM: ADWASHotline
Email: ADWAS@ndvh.org
Video Phone Only for Deaf Callers: (206) 787-3224
(Hearing advocates at the National Domestic Violence Hotline are on duty 24 hours 1-800-787-3224
TTY or 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Voice)
Positive Parenting
The Positive Deaf Parenting program offers parenting education and support to all members of
the Deaf community. We offer a variety of classes and workshops throughout the year in King
County, Everett and Tacoma.
Click here for a listing of all our current workshops and classes.
Classes/workshops include:
- Positive Discipline class (for parents with children age 5 and above)
- Parenting Through Play class (for parents with children age birth to three years old)
- Parenting Teenagers class
- Talking to your kids about drugs and alcohol workshop
- Building Bridges workshop
- A parenting support group
- Special events for families through the year
All classes are free of charge and include:
- A meal
- Structured program for children over the age of 5
- Childcare for children under the age of 5
- Materials
Transitional Housing Program
A Place of Our Own
transitional housing program is currently accepting applications
for both Deaf and hearing program participants! We are located in a brand-new
building in the lovely, residential Maple Leaf neighborhood on the I-5 corridor north of the
University District. (Please click on the image at left to
see more pictures of a transitional housing apartment.)
Applying is easy! ADWAS A Place of Our Own
transitional housing program features 19
individual units of transitional housing for very low income families who are homeless. All
units are subsidized by project-based Section 8 through the Seattle Housing Authority.
Qualified applicants will meet an income limit of 30% median income plus other SHA
requirements. In addition, all units are part of the Washington State Housing Finance
Commission Tax Credit program.
Accepting applications now. Click here. Or if you have any questions or desire further information please contact us at 206-726-0093 and ask for the housing admissions staff.
Children’s Program
The Children’s Program provides the following services to children whose lives have been affected by domestic violence or sexual assault:
- Therapy
- Support Groups
- Advocacy
- Structured educational and recreational activities
Education and Consultation Services
ADWAS provides a vast array of education and consultation services. All trainings and workshops
are specifically designed to meet the needs of each group, school or agency. Developed by
ADWAS, Deaf appropriate material is used during training. Deaf staff provide all training
in American Sign Language. Voice interpreters for hearing agencies/individuals are provided
as needed.
Training opportunities Available
K-12 Education
- Information and prevention
- Sexual assault
- Date rape
- Dating violence
Deaf Community Education
- Building community support for victims of sexual assault and/or domestic violence
- Issues of oppression and how they relate to sexual assault and domestic violence
- Positive Parenting training
Education for Hearing Agencies
- Understanding issues of Deaf culture and language
Professional Development
- Providers working with Deaf people on issues of sexual assault and domestic violence
- Interpreter training on appropriate signs in criminal justice proceedings and in medical settings
- Individual consultations
Those who benefit from Education and Consultation
- Teachers
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors
- Therapists
- Deaf Agencies
- Hearing Shelters
- Rape Centers
- Criminal Justice System
- Medical Facilities
- Deaf and Deaf-Blind Communities
- Interpreters
- Hearing parents of Deaf children
- Deaf parents of Deaf or hearing children
- Deaf children and adults
Contact ADWAS to schedule consultation and/or training.
adwas@adwas.org