Personal Safety Tools for People who use AAC

Most abuse happens where a person lives. However, people who use AAC and who have physical or mobility disabilities may also be at increased risk for abuse or assault in parks, on the street, in health care facilities, schools, buses, taxis and other public places.

Speak Up acknowledges that no one is ever to blame for the abuse that happens to them. Abusers make a choice to abuse someone and are fully responsible for their actions. Although these tips may be helpful to some people, no one can know how they will actually respond in a traumatic situation.

Here are some safety ideas that AAC users may want to explore with their service providers, family members or friends. If you have safety suggestions that you would like to share with other AAC users, please contact us at speakup@sympatico.ca.

Your feelings are important. Pay attention to who and what makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Trust those feelings and instincts. You have a right to feel comfortable and safe.

Here are some ideas to consider:

1. Alert Buzzers:

Can you access a horn, buzzer; call bell, alarm or a quickly recorded message to get help if you need it? You may need access to an alert device when you are in your wheelchairs (manual and powered) and when you are in bed.

It is important that you can use the device when you need it but that it is not in place where you can accidentally hit it. The switch or device may be positioned slightly out of reach or in a place where you have to very deliberately make that movement to activate it.

Any good horn or buzzer will do. The louder and scarier it is the better. Ask your AAC clinician to help you choose an alarm. Find out if there is a safety alarm in your voice output device.

Examples:

Susie has a buzzer (from Radio Shack) embedded in the far edge of the headrest of her wheelchair. She needs to move her head very deliberately to the side of her headrest. In this way she can activate the alarm. The alarm is very loud. To turn it off she reactivates it.

Arjun can hit a switch embedded in a padded panel positioned on the rail of his bed. The switch activates a call system in the attendant office in his building.

2. Driving:

If you drive your own wheelchair, it is important that you can see what is happening around you.

Example:

John uses a rearview mirror on his wheelchair - He had a car mirror attached to the front of his wheelchair.

3. Wallets:

A number of AAC users have reported that they have had their wallets stolen.

There are a variety of wallets for travelers (around neck, waist, wrist). A small fanny pack worn at the front (in the person's lap) is often good. Some people attach a wallet by Velcro/magnet/chain inside of wheelchair arm or underside of tray, where it is less visible.

AAC users often recommend keeping their identification and credit cards separate from their cash. They also suggest carrying small amounts of cash.

Example:

Martha uses a small wallet which is goes around her wrist. This means she can see it at all times.

4. Wheelchair bags or containers:

Pip Farrar, author of End the Silence, suggests attaching a hard sided box/briefcase (that locks) to the back of the wheelchair that can not be removed without opening the container first (e.g. wing nuts inside) For this, you need to consider how often the container needs to be removed (e.g. does the chair need to fold for transportation). A wheelchair bag containing valuables can be put into this box, which is secured to the wheelchair frame by a bicycle lock - either a wire one (that way its length would allow the box to be taken out of the bag and put on the wheelchair tray for unlocking and opening).

Example:

Jane has a wooden box at the back of her wheelchair. She uses a laser lock to lock and unlock it.

5. Keys and Locks:

Many AAC users report that they have difficulty keeping things private in their homes due to their reliance on other people to handle their personal belongings. Some use locked drawers or containers to keep private things. Key combinations can be shared only with those you trust, or you could carry the key around your neck or in some other place. Laser locks are also useful and can be attached you armrest of your wheelchair.

6. Doors:

AAC users need to be able to open, shut and lock their doors. In addition, the Calgary Police Service recommends the following for people with disabilities:

• You should be able to see who is at the door without opening it (e.g. eye viewer at your eye level, window)
• Deadbolts should be used not door chains.
• Increased lighting on both sides of the door.
• Intercom system that you can operate ‚ followed by your voice or a pre-programmed series of messages (e.g., who's there? Please contact the office, you have the wrong address, come in, please wait while I open the door, etc.)
• A cordless phone with pre-programmed emergency numbers. Don wears his phone around his neck.
• Telephone with pre-programmed numbers should be near at hand if you do not have a cell phone. Have pre-programmed emergency phrases (e.g., I need help. Please come quickly. I do not feel safe).


7. Communication:

In addition to having safety vocabulary in an AAC device or on a display, some AAC users suggest having a card on the tray or armrest to which they can easily point or look. It might contain a message "I need help"

• Personal Passports can also be useful.
• Communication Displays (for vocabulary suggestions).

For more information on safety and safeguarding, see other resources and web links on this site.