Legal & Ethical Considerations in Disability Trauma Flashcards

Which U.S. federal law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and is most directly relevant to CDT practitioners advocating for clients?

Answer: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The ADA prohibits discrimination in employment, public services, and accommodations, forming the legal backbone for disability rights in trauma-informed advocacy.

What ethical principle requires CDT practitioners to prioritize the well-being and interests of the client above their own or organizational interests?

Answer: Beneficence

Beneficence is the ethical obligation to act in the best interest of the client, a core principle in all helping professions.

When is a CDT practitioner legally mandated to break confidentiality?

Answer: When there is credible risk of harm to the client or others

Mandatory reporting and duty-to-warn obligations require practitioners to breach confidentiality when there is imminent risk of harm to the client or a third party.

What does informed consent require when working with clients with disabilities who have trauma histories?

Answer: Providing accessible information about services, risks, and rights so the client can make a voluntary decision

Informed consent must be accessible, comprehensible, and voluntary, with accommodations made for disability-related communication needs.

Which legal concept protects individuals with disabilities from abuse and neglect in care settings under U.S. law?

Answer: Adult Protective Services (APS) statutes

APS statutes create legal frameworks for investigating and responding to abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults including those with disabilities.

What ethical concern arises when a practitioner has a personal relationship with a client's family member?

Answer: Dual relationship or conflict of interest

Dual relationships compromise the professional boundary and objectivity required for ethical practice, potentially harming the client.