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Training & Technical
Assistance.

What We Offer

Learn about our team of experts’ unique approach to training.

AREAS OF TRAINING

Foundational Training

Barrier Free Living’s Domestic Violence 101:  This seminar defines ‘domestic violence,’ outlines its various forms and co-occurring conditions, and how it intersects with disability.

Advanced Trainings

We offer various training programs that can be tailored to your organization:

  1. Understanding the Intersection of Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence, Disability, and Trauma
  2. Making the Connection Between Ableism and Violence
  3. DV, Disability and the Child Welfare System: The Threat to Parents with Disabilities
  4. Incorporating accessibility, accommodation, and inclusivity into direct services, policies, and programming

Technical Assistance

Our expert team will work with you (at your site) to acquire the specialized services and/or skills currently not resident within your organization, but which can allow you to operate more effectively and to strengthen sustainability.

“With over 40 years of experience, we bring not only knowledge but hands on experience to share with your team in the area of technical assistance and best practices.”

— Cynthia Amodeo, Chief Executive Officer

Our Experts

Cynthia Amodeo

Ms. Cynthia Amodeo (she/her) is a licensed mental health counselor who specializes in the intersection of domestic violence and disabilities. She began as a children’s counselor at Freedom House, and has since held several leadership positions in the agency including Coordinator of Family Services, Director of Family Services, Director of Social Services and Chief Program Officer. She took on the role of CEO when Founder/CEO Paul Feuerstein retired on December 30, 2022.

Ms. Amodeo regularly presents at Domestic Violence and Trauma conferences nationally to spread awareness of how domestic violence affects people with disabilities. Prior to working at Barrier Free Living,  Ms. Amodeo counseled children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and survivors of the 2001 World Trade Center attack. Ms.Amodeo received her Master of Education and Master of Arts from Teacher’s College, Columbia University in 2006.

Erika Calderon

CSW (English/Spanish Speaking) is the Program Director at Barrier Free Living’s Secret Garden program, where she provides trauma counseling to domestic violence survivors with disabilities. She is a a bilingual Spanish Speaking Social Worker with 12 years of experience working with individuals, children and families as an agent of support and guidance. She can provide a safe place to have a “real talk” and open discussions of all factors that impact “who we are and what we do; as a person of color with cultural awareness and sensitivity.” Erika states: “Everyone’s journey looks different and how you become empowered, is within you; let’s discover it together”.

Diana Turner

Diana (she/her) started her career in non profits 18 years ago working in a Domestic Violence shelter. She was a supervising residential
specialist that gave insights into the quality of life for residential life and domestic violence survivors.

Thereafter she began her career in supported housing at Community Access. This led her to Barrier Free Living  (BFL) where she became Program Director at BFL Apartments. Diana was able to merge her experience in domestic violence and supportive housing and contribute valuable insights into how both populations can be supported.

Diana continued to gain insights into the vision of BFL and working with various populations, and was appointed Chief Program Officer. As Chief Program Officer she will strengthen and develop programming with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for survivors with disabilities. Diana graduated from Hunter School of Social work with an MSW.

Request Info

Fill out the training request form below and a team member will contact you to follow-up on your request. If you have any questions or need assistance completing the form, contact us at [email protected]. Thank you!

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Helping People with Disabilities Help Themselves