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JDSG

In 2009 Capability was part of an innovative project with the Justice Disability Steering Group (JDSG).  On this page you can find all the information and reports from the project.  We will also update you on progress here.

The JDSG was set up in 2007 by organisations representing the justice sector in Scotland. It is comprised of the Scottish Government, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Scottish Court Service, the Law Society of Scotland, the Scottish Legal Aid Board and the Scottish Prison Service.

The JDSG contracted Capability Scotland to manage an involvement programme with disabled people from June to December 2009.  This project aimed to establish a multi-agency approach to the long-term involvement of disabled people that would ultimately improve access to the justice system for disabled people.

This model for engaging, consulting and involving disabled people can now be taken forward by Justice Sector agencies, either individually or collaboratively, in order to fulfill their public sector duty to involve disabled people in policy making.

Capability used a four-stage process to engage and involve disabled people:

  1. A paper and web-based survey exploring access to justice
  2. Public involvement events with disabled people
  3. Involvement events with disabled prisoners
  4. A national Conference attended by disabled people and justice practitioners

The process of involvement at each stage was designed to ensure that the widest range of disabled people were given the opportunity to share their own experiences of the justice system and offer their views as to how barriers to accessing justice might best be removed.   You can find links to the involvement reports on the right.

The JDSG is now implementing the recommendations made by Capability Scotland and working together to improve access to justice for disabled people in Scotland.

Register to keep up to date with our justice work.

For further information, please contact Elspeth Molony, Senior Policy and Consultancy Manager, on 0131 347 1022 or elspeth.molony@capability-scotland.org.uk.