MENU

Domestic Violence & Disabilities

Barrier Free Living is an expert working with survivors of domestic violence with disabilities.

The BFL team works with survivors of domestic violence with disabilities at our fully accessible Freedom House domestic violence shelter, our award winning Secret Garden domestic violence counseling program, and our latest BFL Apartments offering permanent homes with support services to survivors with disabilities and their families.

“Domestic violence is the number one issue of women with disabilities”

Paul Feuerstein, President/CEO

Our Latest DV Initiatives

The BFL team shares nearly 40 years of experience, knowledge and growth in the domestic violence and disabilities field.

Barrier Free Living Clothesline Project
Kicks off Domestic Violence Awareness Month  

clothesline-2019

Barrier Free Living’s 2nd Annual Clothesline Project kicked off a rich roster of Domestic Violence Awareness month events, outreach and advocacy for our program teams (Freedom House, Secret Garden, BFL Apartments).
View a short video from the Clothesline Project here. 
The BFL Clothesline project* — the brainchild of team member Irma Williams — is our agency centerpiece, bringing together our supporters and the community to spread a message of anti-violence and healing.
Participants at the event can decorate T-shirts with heart-felt messages. Activities include a self defense demo by Pop Gym and a movement workshop with Gibney Dance (read our story about Gibney’s Crack the Light show later this month.)
Through the month, in addition to providing education and outreach at scores of events through the city (see our Calendar of events at far right), our team will be sharing our expertise (check out BFL Chief Program Officer Cynthia Amodeo’s piece about Parents with Disabilities later this month). We will feature the stories of our valiant supporters like Spread the Sparkle (read founder Abbey Levine’s interview) as well as our community heroes (read about Clothesline Project guest speaker Samantha Taylor ).
Make sure to tag us in your posts, your advocacy and your events at twitter: @barrierfreel – facebook: barrierfreeliving – instagram: bfl_newyork #barriefreeliving.

*The clothesline project is a worldwide movement created to bring awareness to the issue of violence against women men and children. For those who have been affected by violence, it is a means of expressing their emotions by decorating a t-shirt.

Learn More About:

Fierce Supporters & Inspiring Voices 

During October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month we will be shining a spotlight on our incredible supporters (like Abbey Levine and Spread the Sparkle) as well as hearing voices of courage and inspiration like Samantha Taylor (pictured below) who is the author of the inspiring new Victim To Victor. Samantha will be speaking at Barrier Free Living’s Clothesline Project on Oct. 11.

Through the month we will be adding links to new stories to our list below, so check in regularly!

headhost-2019-dv-book

Victim to Victor: Author Interview 

sparkle-2-2019-pic-story

Supporter Spotlight: Spread the Sparkle Story here. 

img-8240

Emily’s Journey: Survivor Spotlight 

Emily’s Journey: Survivor Spotlight (Part 2)

Photo is representational, per confidentiality

Learn More About:

Calendar of Events, Outreach & More

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Calendar NYC 2019
Check out a thorough (downloadable) tip sheet providing information on events, activities, and resources organized by FYSB-funded national training and technical assistance resource centers to commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month HERE. 
vision-2019-e-vite
Vision For Change
A survivor-led conference to end gender-based violence
Sunday, October 27th
Horace Mann School, Bronx NY
RSVP By October 18, 2019:
sanctuaryforfamilies.org/event/visionforchange
Questions: [email protected] • (212) 349-6009 x366
Unmasking Domestic Violence:
Changing Your Perspectives
October 19
Noon-5pm
Members Free. Non Member $10
St. Thomas More Church
65 East 89 St.  NYC
cracks-of-light
Gibney Dance Cracks of Light – Co Presented by Sanctuary for Families
Gibney bears witness to stories of gender-based violence and invites audiences to expand the boundaries of gender and explore the concept of transformation.
Friday, October 25 – Saturday, October 26
8:00 pm
Gibney, 280 Broadway (Entrance at 53A Chambers)
Tickets  $15 – $20 Purchase them here!
domestic-violence-event-2019
Take A Stand Against Domestic Violence
Barrier Free Living team members will be part of this event, speaking and sharing outreach materials.
Presented by Urban Neighborhood Services
Oct. 30
10am-2pm
Carey Gardens Community Center
Brooklyn NY
 cut-it-out-vector-logo
CUT IT OUT
Cut It Out and L’Oreal will be offering free salong services to survivors of domestic violence.
Oct. 17
Redken Exchange
404 5 Ave. NY NY 10018
To schedule an appointment go here.
CUT IT OUT® The Beauty Community Against Domestic Abuse is a program dedicated to mobilizing salon / spa professionals, students and others to fight the epidemic of domestic abuse in communities across the United States. CUT IT OUT® builds awareness of domestic abuse through awareness materials to be displayed in salons, the “Give the Power Back” initiative to involve salons in helping local domestic violence agencies, and training salon / spa professionals and students to recognize warning signs and safely refer clients to resources.

Freedom House DV Shelter Virtual Tour 

Take a virtual tour of Barrier Free Living’s Freedom House domestic violence shelter for survivors with disabilities. Get an up close and inside look at what makes our shelter absolutely unique and vital.

Link to film here .

Learn More About:

Breaking Barriers In DV Newsletter

Each month BFL team members share their expertise and experience around our work with survivors of domestic violence with disabilities. Email us to sign up: [email protected]

Read About Our Other Initiatives

About the Expert: Sara Eldridge
Read More

Domestic Violence Resources

Search our extensive resource of information on the issues surrounding of domestic violence and disabilities.

Examples: Shelter, Children, Advocacy, Fleeing

Stories of Survival

The great benefit of our work at Barrier Free Living is the opportunity to see the results of our programs and hear the stories of inspiration, persistance and survival that our programs have helped to create.


“My family feels safe. We are learning to be strong and to love ourselves. I am so glad we are here” More about  Olga’s Journey of Hope


“I wanted to volunteer here because I wanted to be part of the great mission that Freedom House has for women and children.” More about  Bethelihem’s Journey of Hope

Calendar

The BFL team shares its expertise at conferences and attends events locally and nationwide throughout the year.

Check back for future outreach events. 
Learn How You Can Help

Save

Save

Save