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Cognitive Functions

Access Problems and Solutions for People with Cognitive Limitations

This section covers the potential barriers that people with functional limitations related to cognition may encounter as they interface with the four different environments.   We describe common access issues experienced by people with functional limitations in cognition; provide concrete examples of how those issues play out for survivors with these types of functional limitations; and offer suggestions for solving these problems and creating accessible services for these survivors. 

We cannot possibly anticipate every access problem related to cognition, nor is this guide intended to do so.  However, it does provide you with a problem-solving approach to prepare you to respond more effectively "in the moment."

Although we provide suggested solutions for each problem related to the barriers faced, we encourage you to also involve the survivor when crafting individualized solutions to environmental barriers for people with functional limitations related to cognition.  Additionally, we want to make clear that the problems we highlight are examples only; they are neither exhaustive nor necessarily representative of all people with functional limitations related to cognition.

Individualized Access Guide for Cognitive Abilities & Limitations

Communication Access & Cognitive Abilities

Information Access & Cognitive Abilities

Physical Access & Cognitive Abilities

Social/Policy Access & Cognitive Abilities

Related Links

  • Overview of Abuse of People with Developmental Disabilities This link will open a new browser window.
    • By Nora Baladerian, Ph.D. presented at the AAMR Conference, Orange County, 1985
  • People with Mental Retardation & Sexual Abuse This link will open a new browser window.
    • By Leigh Ann Davis, M.S.S.., M.P.A. for The Arc

  • Safeplace Disability Services ASAP (A Safety Awareness Program) This link will open a new browser window.
    • Safeplace has been a leader in the development of Manuals and Trainings to help providers around the country. Safeplace has contributed a case study to this website that covers the development of Disability Services and its programs. See Resources : Case Studies

  • IndependenceFirst Domestic Violence – Sexual Assault Services This link will open a new browser window.
    • Leslie Meyers has been a national leader in advocacy for people with disabilities and ending violence. The Independent Living Center has useful publications and classes. She also has developed symbol-based communication tools. Leslie has contributed a case study to this website that covers the development of IndependenceFirst services and its programs.

  • The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) This link will open a new browser window.
    • PCAR has developed an abuse prevention and training curriculum in two parts.
    Sexual Assault Prevention for Individuals with Development Disabilities Curriculum and Video, 2000
    Professional Guide for Identifying Sexual Assault in Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

  • Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault This link will open a new browser window.
    • WCASA’s Transcending Silence booklets are very useful introductions on special topics in disability that enable novices to quickly get involved. Information includes: factors contributing to increased risk, statistics, legal information, indicators of sexual assault, barriers to receiving services, and an extensive list of resources. See Transcending Silence: Sexual Assault Against People With Developmental Disabilities, 2001.

  • The Institute on Community Integration (ICI) This link will open a new browser window.
    • The ICI consists of a federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), part of a national network of similar programs in major universities and teaching hospitals across the country. The University of Minnesota center has a report online - Impact: Feature Issue on Violence Against Women with Developmental or Other Disabilities