Boston, MA – The Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) announced the launch of its new, innovative, community-focused website, alongside three new training videos for investigators and first responders, that provide information on the prevalence of abuse and crimes against adults with disabilities and resources to help people recognize signs of abuse and report potential crimes. 

For 38 years, DPPC has protected adults with disabilities in Massachusetts from abusive acts or omissions from their caregivers through investigations, oversight, public awareness and prevention efforts. 

“DPPC’s newly redesigned website is modern and accessible, giving the public and mandated reporters easy access to important information that helps to recognize and report abuses against adults living with disabilities in Massachusetts,” said Nancy Alterio, Executive Director of the Disabled Persons Protection Commission. “We are committed to ensuring that all members of the community can obtain these vital resources so that they can easily report concerns around abuse or neglect to DPPC and other authorities. The new website also features three new instructional videos that will inform and educate investigators on the necessity for effective, trauma-informed interviews, and will guide them through proper interviewing techniques to elicit the most reliable information.”

The updated website, centered around accessibility and ease of use, features more readability options for members of the public seeking information and resources for reporting abuse against adults with disabilities in Massachusetts. Users now have the ability to adjust text sizes, fonts, contrast strength, and background colors, as well as the option to shift the entire website to grayscale. 

The website launch coincides with the release of three instructional training videos for investigators on how to conduct a successful interview with adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia. Filmed in partnership with the Executive Office of Aging & Independence (AGE) and the Building Partnerships for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities and Older Adults Initiative (BPI), the videos feature expert testimonials, survivor feedback and mock interviews that model real cases. Each video informs and educates viewers on the necessity for effective, trauma-informed interviews and guides them through proper interviewing techniques to elicit the most reliable information. 

The video series highlights the importance of using a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) approach when investigating abuses and crimes committed against adults with disabilities. The MDT approach endorses the use of one interview of the victim, in the presence of all MDT members, utilizing the principles of a forensic interview. This procedure minimizes the trauma to the victim and increases the chance of a successful prosecution of the offender. 

All three videos in the series are built on the principles of DPPC’s L.I.S.T.E.N. method, which is essential to enhancing the quality and quantity of information obtained during an interview and are key to increasing the investigator’s ability to meet the needs of the victim. 

Click here to view the full video series. 

“Every survivor should have the right to tell their story, on their own terms and in their own words, in a manner that respects their individuality,” said Alterio. “Survivors also deserve access to the best available tools to help them heal from their trauma. These training videos provide the framework for better interviews that, in turn, lead to more complete and successful investigations, while minimizing trauma for adult survivors with disabilities.”

The website and videos launch comes on the heels of DPPC’s recently-unveiled S2 app, which was designed with and for adults with IDD to support survivors of abuse and the IDD community. The app allows users to learn how to practice self-care, embrace their emotions and benefit from interactive games. The app emulates the self-care practices championed by DPPC Peer Support Leaders: Individuals with IDD who work directly in the community to support and empower survivors of sexual abuse.

DPPC, together with adults with disabilities and other partners, will continue to develop programs and training opportunities to strengthen the response to abuses committed against adults with disabilities and provide victims a greater likelihood of healing.

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Established in 1987 as an independent state agency, the Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) protects adults with disabilities ages 18 through 59 from abuse or neglect by their caregivers through investigations, oversight, public awareness and prevention.