Resources for ADR Practitioners Serving the IDD Community

Purple logo for the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council featuring outline of New York and the words "New York: State of Opportunity"                     Logo for the Community Dispute Resolution Centers program

 

 

 

 

New York State’s Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs) provide free and low-cost conflict resolution services to all New Yorkers, including those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), their family members, and service providers. People with IDD and their families come to CDRCs for help managing difficult discussions and decisions including:

•  Family Matters involving living arrangements, parenting plans, and divorce
•  Housing Matters including disputes with landlords, neighbors, roommates, and group home staff
•  Special Education issues such as identification, services, and educational placement
•  Guardianship of an adult with IDD
•  Care Coordination disagreement with a case worker or service providers

Thanks to the generous support of the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, New York’s CDRCs implemented a three-year project (2020-2022) to increase awareness about CDRC services for individuals with IDD, their family members, and service providers.  During that time, CDRCs conducted needs assessments; provided anti-bias IDD awareness training to staff members and volunteers; and taught mediators ways they can improve accessibility and inclusion to reduce the barriers to participation by the IDD community.  

The resources below were developed during that time so that they can be available to CDRCs and the ADR community. Please contact Daniel Kos (dkos@nycourts.gov) with any questions.

 IDD Resources

Literature Review outlining the impact of conflict on the lives of people with IDD, their family members, and service providers.

Focus Group Report summarizing the findings of focus groups conducted to assess the need for CDRC services by individuals, family members and services providers during 2020. Coming Soon
 

Front Page of Facilitator Guide for Disability Awareness TrainingDisability Awareness Training for CDRC staff and mediators.  A recorded version of the live, online training provided in 2020-21, designed to address the following learning objectives:
♦  Participants will understand the clinical features of IDDs.
♦  Participants will compare the medical model of disability with the social model of disability and apply them to the mediator’s mindset.
♦  Participants will develop a more inclusive practice by identifying and removing barriers to participation in mediation. 
A companion Facilitator’s Guide is also available to support groups of mediators viewing the training together who wish to participate in discussions and learning activities.

Advanced Skills for Mediating with Individuals with IDD for CDRC staff and volunteers. This is a recorded version of the live, online training provided in 2022 designed to address the following learning objectives:
♦  Participants will apply the social model of disability to identify environmental, attitudinal, communication and social barriers to participating in mediation.
♦  Participants will practice existing skills and develop new skills to proactively address potential barriers to participation in mediation.
A companion Facilitator’s Guide is also available to support groups of mediators viewing the training together who wish to participate in discussions and learning activities. Coming Soon

Advanced Skills for Restorative Circles training for CDRC staff and volunteers. This is a recorded three-hour, live, online training provided in 2022. It is designed to help circle keepers adapt circle design and facilitation to improve inclusion and effective communication for circle participants with an IDD. Handouts referenced in the training are also available.

CDRC Service Evaluation Report completed with the assistance of independent evaluators who interviewed CDRC staff, mediators, and mediation clients.  Includes case studies and a thematic overview. Coming Soon