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Description
This project addresses the issue of discrimination of people with disabilities in administrative and court proceedings in the Pomorski voivodship. Procedures are still not in effect in Poland to prevent discrimination and include people with disabilities in administrative and court procedures. Meanwhile, once all avenues relating to legal aid free of charge in the initial stages of proceedings have been exhausted, people with disabilities do not have representation and cannot mount a proper defense. In fact, they are often considered as having no credibility by judges and public prosecutors. Disability affects decisions made by judges in family matters (for example child custody) or decisions made by public prosecutors in criminal cases (orders to leave a residence are not issued in the case of people who abuse people with disabilities). Support for 30 people with disabilities in proceedings before government authorities and courts will be provided. The Project Promoter will examine cases of discrimination towards people with disabilities in the justice system and public authorities (30 reviews) and will draw up recommendations for the institutions. A minimum of 5 institutions will review their procedures and practices and make changes to policies concerning access, or draw up procedures for interviewing people with various disabilities. The Project Promoter will conduct informational training for authorities and CSOs, and set up a helpline providing information about the project. The project will enable people with disabilities to obtain support in proceedings before public authorities and in the justice system and re-establish their agency, and their rights will begin to be respected. The measures will also influence the work of institutions – people working in public authorities and the justice system will have greater knowledge and awareness, and will be more sensitive. The quality of service of people with disabilities will improve.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the problem of discrimination against persons with disabilities in administrative and judicial proceedings in the Pomorskie Voivodeship. In Poland, there are still no anti-discrimination and inclusion procedures for persons with disabilities in administrative and judicial procedures. Meanwhile, having exhausted the possibility to use free legal aid available at the early stages of proceedings, people with disabilities - deprived of an attorney - cannot properly defend themselves. Moreover, they are often perceived as unreliable by judges and prosecutors. Disability affects decisions by judges in family cases (e.g. child custody) or decisions by prosecutors in criminal cases (e.g. failure to order a violent offender to leave his home).
As part of the project, Project Promoter supported 30 people with disabilities in proceedings before authorities and courts. The support concerned cases of violations or limitations of human rights, discrimination and violence throughout the Pomorskie Voivodeship. Based on the identified violations, thematic audits (petitions) were conducted in 30 public institutions, which identified specific problems. In the next step, systemic solutions were proposed in specific areas. A total of 5 institutions took into account the postulates and recommendations for change formulated by Project Promoter with regard to persons with disabilities. As part of the social campaign, Project Promoter conducted, among other things, training for authorities and NGOs and launched a project information hotline.
Thanks to the project, 30 persons with disabilities have been supported in proceedings before public administration and justice authorities, have regained agency, and their rights have started to be respected. The activities also influenced the work of institutions - the knowledge and awareness of people working in public administration and the judiciary regarding the rights of persons with disabilities increased. 5 institutions responded positively to the audit and introduced changes to their work standards in terms of serving people with disabilities - these include the Mayor of Gdynia, the Medical Council, the Mayor of Władysławowo, the Municipal Social Welfare Centre in Sopot, the Polish Post Office SA, and the District Public Prosecutor''s Office in Wejherowo.