Universal Design for Human Rights

Description

The mission of the project is to ensure that human rights in Latvia are understood and respected.
The association Apeirons has observed that people with disabilities still do not have sufficient understanding of human rights in general. In addition, there are too few cases filed to courts to protect their basic human rights. It is also important to mention that, the Judiciary is not always ready to ensure the standards set by the UN Conventions – environmental access, communication, etc. when it comes to people with wide range of disabilities. This project will ensure activities that will support an increase of knowledge and understanding of human rights and the court system/Judiciary will receive a valuable set of tools, improved understanding of disabilities that will lead to better service while in court. The main target group to be reached is people with disabilities as well as those who work for Judiciary but in reality the project results will reach out to much wider audience via social media, related professions, possibly municipalities and the word of mouth.
The main activities are training and educational materials, development of a Court Standard and encouragement of people. We stress the long-term affect and importance of sustainability of every outcome. This is one of the reasons why the partnership with the Latvian Judicial Training Centre is agreed for the purpose of this project. Latvian Judicial Training Centre (LJTC) is a foundation, that was created with the aim to ensure training and professional development for judges and court staff. LJTC is involved in this project as a partner, which will provide communication and exchange of information between citizens and court staff. LTJC together with Apeirons will participate in workshops, will develop e-course and training for judges and court staff. A judicial standard will be jointly developed to ensure respect for human rights in courts for persons with disabilities.

Summary of project results

Lack of awareness and accessibility of human rights
Many people, particularly those with disabilities, lacked awareness of their fundamental rights and the mechanisms available to defend them. Without this knowledge, individuals were unable to advocate for themselves effectively, and violations of their rights often went unchallenged.

Barriers in the judicial system
The judiciary was not always prepared to uphold the rights of people with disabilities. Courts often lacked accessibility, both in terms of physical infrastructure and communication methods, making it difficult for individuals with disabilities to navigate legal processes. Additionally, many legal professionals had limited understanding of disability rights, leading to inconsistent application of legal protections.

Limited civil society influence in policy development
While NGOs played a crucial role in identifying human rights violations and advocating for policy changes, their influence remained limited. Many systemic issues affecting people with disabilities were not prioritized in public policy, and collaboration between civil society organizations and government institutions was often inconsistent.

Delayed government action on disability rights
Despite international commitments, progress in improving disability rights remained slow. Political will fluctuated, and implementation of necessary reforms was often deprioritized in favor of other pressing issues. Bureaucratic obstacles and fragmented institutional responsibilities further delayed meaningful action.

Shifting political priorities and external pressures
Government focus could easily shift due to external crises or broader geopolitical concerns, diverting attention from fundamental human rights issues. This created uncertainty about the continuity and long-term commitment to improving the legal and social framework for people with disabilities.

Fragmentation among stakeholders
Organizations working in the disability rights sector often had different objectives, making coordinated advocacy efforts more complex. The lack of a unified approach sometimes hindered progress in ensuring that disability rights were treated as a mainstream issue rather than a niche concern.

Public perception and social attitudes
Many issues related to disability rights remained outside mainstream public discourse. Disability-related challenges were often viewed as isolated concerns rather than societal issues requiring systemic change. This lack of public engagement made it harder to build widespread support for necessary reforms.

Workshops:

• Purpose: Identify challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing justice and human rights.
• Deliverables: Three workshops for 60 participants from diverse disability groups and NGOs.

Information materials:

• Content: Simplified guides, videos, and audio resources on human rights tailored to disabilities.
• Formats: Print and digital materials following universal design principles.

Research on judges and court staff

• Goal: Assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to inclusion and discrimination.
• Use: Results will inform court standards and training programs.

Training modules

1. Court standards: Guidelines for inclusive judicial processes.
2. Empathy seminar: Immersive experience for court leaders.
3. E-course: Online training on disability inclusion.
4. Practical workshop: Hands-on training for judges.

Empowering people with disabilities
The project successfully motivated individuals with disabilities to defend their rights and navigate the judicial system with confidence. It also raised awareness of marginalized groups, such as individuals with hearing impairments, who are often overlooked by state institutions. 

Transforming judicial awareness and preparedness
Hundreds of court staff gained practical knowledge on working with individuals with diverse disabilities. Training addressed real-life scenarios, such as accommodating wheelchair users who may not stand when requested or guiding visually impaired individuals through courtroom navigation.

Bridging knowledge gaps through training and education
A large-scale study identified critical gaps in judicial staff’s understanding of disability-related challenges. In response, targeted training programs were developed, reaching 241 professionals through in-person sessions and 110 participants via e-learning—numbers that continue to grow. The enthusiastic response from court employees, who shared how they applied their new knowledge, underscores the program’s effectiveness.

Developing sustainable tools for long-term impact
The Court Standard handbook provided clear guidelines for handling cases involving people with disabilities, ensuring lasting improvements in accessibility and inclusion. Additionally, various educational resources—including infographics, videos, and podcasts—were made available on digital platforms, securing continued access to essential human rights information.

Fostering collaboration and systemic change
The project culminated in a conference that brought together legal professionals, policymakers, and individuals with disabilities. By sharing real-life experiences and expert insights, the event strengthened awareness, encouraged best practices, and paved the way for future improvements in legal accessibility.