Issue 9

Issue 9
The Rural Digest 
The Rural Digest features replicable, time-tested intervention models, social change-advocacy strategies, and tools, templates, and materials as part of Praxis’ technical assistance to rural communities.

a gloved hand holding a clear crystal ball in front of a mountain and forest landscape

Praxis advises on how to strengthen advocacy work at individual, community and/or institutional levels. We can also provide information and support about the implementation of coordinated responses to ending gender-based violence in rural communities. Access our centralized Rural Clearinghouse to connect with your peers and learn more about rural-specific training, technical assistance, strategies, and research.

In This Issue 

Highlights and Announcements
Upcoming Rural and Related Training Events
Dear Praxis
Rural and Related Resources, Approaches, and Information

 Highlights and Announcements
    • COVID-19 Dashboard for Rural America
      In the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, Covid-19 hit the world’s large cities and metropolitan areas first and hardest. In the days since, the pandemic’s impact on rural communities and small towns has become more clear- and more urgent. The Daily Yonder tracks the spread and impact of Covid-19 across rural America. Their dashboard features numbers and maps that are updated weekly, as well as reporting on the stories of the pandemic in rural areas. Read more.

      Vera Announces Funding for Organizations Transforming State and Local Justice Systems in Rural America

      Vera Institute of Justice’s In Our Backyards initiative announced the second round of grant funding to community-based and statewide organizations committed to reducing incarceration rates, resisting jail expansion, and eliminating racial and gender disparities in incarceration in small and rural communities. Learn more about the recipients and previously supported projects here. 
 Upcoming Rural and Related Training Events

 

Dear Praxis…
Timely questions from our advocate community
a coffee mug next to an open laptop with a zoom meeting on the screen
Dear Praxis,
We’ve had to transition much of our work to virtual, and it seems like 2021will be the same. What steps can we take to make our offerings more accessible?
This is an important question that we at Praxis are still learning to navigate. Here are a few tips:
  • Ask what is needed by those with whom you work. Include a question on registration forms for virtual meetings/events, or initial contact forms for virtual advocacy.
    • The question could be phrased: “How can we make this more accessible to you? (i.e. closed captioning, interpreting, large print materials…)”
  • Once you know what is needed, you can work with vendors to provide the service.
    • There are many options for live closed captioning and language interpreting.
    • An hourly cost will be charged for the services, so remember to factor the possibility of accessibility requests into your budget.
  • Create materials in a 14 pt. serif font for more accessible text.
  • Use the “check accessibility” function in Microsoft Word
  • Make accessible PowerPoints by including image descriptions
  • Ask about accessibility services in any evaluations you conduct- did what you provided meet their needs?
For more comprehensive information, check out the publication “Designing Accessible Resources for People with Disabilities and Deaf Individuals,” by the Vera Institute of Justice.
Rural and Related Resources, Approaches, and Information
Learn about ways rural communities are working to end violence against women and are employing strategies to address related issues:

This project is supported by Grant No. 2015-TA-AX-K057 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this document are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice.

[November 2018]