The NAD has initiated a new project to focus on advocating for access to child welfare programs and services for deaf families and children. Children with disabilities are at an increased risk of being in the child welfare and foster care systems. Studies show that children with disabilities were at least three times more likely to be abused or neglected, leading them into the child welfare and foster care systems. Child welfare is a system where services are provided to ensure that all children live in safe, permanent and stable environments. For example, one private agency may contract with the State to recruit, train, and maintain foster and adoptive homes. Another example is a caseworker who works with the child and family to meet their needs (like counseling) and reports to the Court on their progress. Are you facing discrimination and communication barriers? Do you know someone who is struggling with receiving services? Tell us! When you contact us, we will create a new “intake” that allows us to understand your situation more. The more intakes we receive, the more likely we can identify system gaps and demand accessibility.
Bottom line: children with disabilities are more likely to be in the child welfare and foster care systems. Families are also at risk of losing their children because of the system’s lack of understanding of their needs. No one deserves to be discriminated against – the NAD wants to change this.