Mission Statement
This is the primary focus of MIRA's mission, addressing two forms of violence experienced by Deaf survivors in Rhode Island.
What are domestic violence and sexual violence?
This value emphasizes the importance of fulfilling commitments to foster trust within the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
What is accountability?
This systemic form of oppression denies D/HoH individuals full participation in society and is so ingrained that it may even be internalized.
What is audism?
This decision-making model is the primary method used by MIRA, emphasizing collaboration and finding solutions that everyone supports or can live with.
What is the consensus model?
This foundational principle ensures that survivors' sensitive information shared within the client-helper relationship remains protected.
What is confidentiality?
MIRA strengthens trust by prioritizing these two key groups in its mission statement.
Who are the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities and partnering organizations?
MIRA values a respectful, nonjudgmental approach that celebrates differences in culture, language, and race, including within the Deaf community.
What is diversity and cultural humility?
MIRA acknowledges the lack of this type of informed service as a significant barrier that may cause further marginalization or a loss of hope for D/HoH survivors.
What are culturally and linguistically informed services?
In cases where consensus cannot be reached and time is of the essence, MIRA uses this model, which requires over half of participants to agree for a decision to move forward.
What is the majority rule model?
Under Rhode Island law, mandated reporting is required in cases involving these three categories of individuals.
What are children, elders, and severely impaired adults?
One of MIRA's commitments involves addressing this form of systemic discrimination against Deaf individuals.
What is audism?
This value ensures that services and support for D/HoH survivors are designed with their unique experiences and contributions in mind, avoiding assumptions and seeking diverse input.
What is Deaf-driven?
This assumption highlights the importance of maintaining privacy and using culturally competent providers, especially given the small and close-knit nature of the Deaf community.
What is the need for trauma-informed care and preferred ASL providers?
MIRA's protocol includes this visual tool, using thumbs up, sideways, or down to gauge agreement and identify areas of concern or needed clarification.
What is the consensus scale?
Before beginning conversations, MIRA informs individuals of their obligation to report under this legal requirement.
What is mandatory reporting?
MIRA ensures that services provided are responsive to culture and informed by this approach to understanding trauma.
What is trauma-informed care?
This value involves equipping D/HoH survivors with meaningful accommodations and trauma-informed support to ensure they receive equitable care compared to hearing survivors.
What is empowerment and empathy?
This assumption recognizes the gap in outreach and prevention initiatives, noting that D/HoH individuals are often overlooked in this type of data collection.
What is statewide data and statistics for D/HoH individuals?
Decisions regarding finances, grants, and HR policies must be escalated to leadership under this category of decision-making.
What are agency-level decisions?
This document, established by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and National Association of the Deaf (NAD), outlines ethical guidelines interpreters must follow, including confidentiality.
What is the Code of Professional Conduct?
MIRA uses this analytical perspective to guide its work, centering those most affected by oppression as experts.
What is a lens of racial equity and systems of oppression/change?
This value reflects MIRA’s dedication to using tools and methods that enhance communication, collaboration, and safety, ensuring transformative access for D/HoH survivors.
What is technology and innovation?
MIRA is committed to advancing access by allocating budget line items for accommodations such as ASL interpreters and relay services, ensuring these supports reflect organizational priorities.
What is budgeting for communication accommodations?
This plan, invokes when consensus or majority rule fails, and emphasizes resolving disagreements with respect, honesty, and transparency, and may involve technical assistance from Activating Change.
What is the Conflict Resolution Plan?
When a report is required under mandatory reporting laws, MIRA emphasizes involving the survivor in the process through this collaborative approach.
What is self-reporting or making a report with the survivor’s participation?