Justice Facilitators
A double channel of support for people with disabilities and justice officials
Since 2017 a multidisciplinary team of justice facilitators is working to
identify barriers for people with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities
within the criminal justice system, suggesting appropriate procedural
accommodations to ensure their effective participation on an equal basis
with others as victims, witnesses or defendants.
Criminal hearings:
Learn more about this project here!
Historically persons with disabilities, particularly with psychosocial and
intellectual disabilities, have been denied equal access to justice based on
questions about their capacity, which has resulted in discrimination and
serious consequences for their life, rights and freedom.
Barriers faced by persons with disabilities:
These barriers hinder the effective participation of persons with disabilities in judicial proceedings. Justice systems have a critical role to play in preventing exclusion and discrimination through adopting a human rights-based approach to disability and providing accommodations and supports to ensure access to justice for persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others.
Role of Justice Facilitators
The role of justice facilitators is to serve as intermediaries between persons with
disabilities and justice officials to dismantle obstacles in communication, and in the physical and social environment, in order to guarantee effective participation.
Facilitators intervene only with the consent of the person and focus on proposing
adequate adjustments based on the needs of each individual, with the objective of
maximizing their abilities and tools to understand the process, present their own
point of view, and communicate with other participants.
How do justice facilitators contribute to minimize stigmas?
Project Impact
Contribute to the construction of an accessible and inclusive justice system, where persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities have the right to procedural accommodations that enable effective communication between them and courts ensuring their full and equal participation
Through the participation of justice facilitators, justice officials – judges, prosecutors, defenders, victim advocates have been exposed to a human-rights approach of disability, increasing their knowledge on international standards.
Persons with disabilities’ opinions and doubts are heard and answered in judicial proceedings; justice officials realize that the participation of persons with disabilities is possible, which reduces stigma and stereotypes and generates empathy.
Promote the development of a new profession of justice facilitators through training certifications with national universities.