A disability is a mental or physical impairment or a combination of both. Women with disabilities have historically had limited options when seeking help out of abusive situations. We continue to have limited options due to communication barriers, architectural accessibility, and misunderstanding from others.

Because of these barriers, a domestic violence survivor living with a disability may feel hopeless, alone, confused, and very afraid, much like survivors who are not living with a disability. Survivors with disabilities may have unique concerns, however, such as feeling it is impossible to leave someone who she is dependent on for personal help. She may fear it will be impossible to find help elsewhere.