Acknowledgments

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) wishes to acknowledge the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) for developing this handbook and Timothy O. Woods, J.D., M.A., NSA’s Director of Research and Development, for writing it.

Terri J. Hicks, Triad Program Coordinator at NSA, is also recognized for her inspiration in suggesting that a “how to” handbook was needed for law enforcement on responding to victims of crime who have a disability.

Finally, OVC wishes to especially thank the following individuals who generously contributed their expertise, and often passionately shared their personal experiences, in support of this project: Nora J. Baladerian, Ph.D., Disability, Abuse & Personal Rights Project; Elizabeth Cantrell, Cantrell Associates; Marc P. Charmatz, J.D., National Association of the Deaf Law Center; M. Doreen Croser, American Association on Mental Retardation; Leigh Ann Davis, The Arc; Sharon D’Eusanio, Division of Victim Services and Criminal Justice Programs, Office of the Florida Attorney General; Brian Hance, Alzheimer’s Association; Ron Honberg, J.D., National Alliance for the Mentally Ill; Jeri Houchins, Back to Life; Angela M. Kaufman, Department on Disability, City of Los Angeles; Gerald Landsberg, D.S.W., Ehrenkranz School of Social Work, New York University; Gail London, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center; Christine A. Mayman, Shenandoah Women’s Center; Peggie Reyna, Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women; Sgt. Doreen Russo, Sexual Battery/Child Abuse Unit, City of Miami Police Department; Marilyn J. Smith, Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services; Cheryl G. Tyiska, National Organization for Victim Assistance; and Mary T. Zdanowicz, J.D., Treatment Advocacy Center.