About the conference
The NDA Annual Conference 2020 focused on the theme of Access to Justice in line with Article 13 UNCRPD, in the context of criminal justice. Article 13 UNCRPD seeks to ensure effective access to justice for persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others.
The event considered Article 13 across the various stages of the justice process, including related policy and programme activities such as effective communication, training and development for justice professionals, rehabilitation, education, moving on to employment and life in the community from prison.
The conference also provided an opportunity to share valuable Irish and international experience and good practice, and to learn from other countries who have explored different approaches to the implementation of Article 13, including effective collaboration across all relevant departments and agencies.
Conference Proceedings
Plenary Session
- Welcome Address: Helen Guinan, Chairperson, National Disability Authority 1
- Opening Address: Anne Rabbitte T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Disability
- The Right to Access Justice (Article 13) under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Setting the Bar: Catalina Devandas Aguilar, Ambassador of Costa Rica to the United Nations in Geneva and Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Progressing Justice Reform through Australia's National Disability Strategy: Andrew Walter, First Assistant Secretary, Integrity and Security Division, Attorney-General’s Department, Australia
- The Positive Impact of Intermediaries in the Criminal Justice System: Catherine O’Neill, Registered Intermediary and Chair, Intermediaries for Justice, England
- Proposals for Law Reform: Access to Jury Service for Persons with Disabilities: Raymond Byrne, Full Time Commissioner, Law Reform Commission
- Disablist Hate Crime: Identifying the Issues and Learning from England and Wales: Dr Seamus Taylor, Head of Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University
- Morning Closing Address: James Browne T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Law Reform
Video library
- Joan Clarke, Former litigant who took a High Court case challenging the exclusion of deaf people from jury service
- Gáibhin McGranaghan, Policy Officer, AsIAm
Afternoon Opening Address:
Ms Justice Mary Irvine, President of the High Court
Breakout Sessions
Policing
Chaired by Michael O’Neill (Head of Legal, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission)
- Kate Mulkerrins (Executive Director of Legal, An Garda Síochána) and Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern (Legal and Human Rights, An Garda Síochána) Effective Policing in the Community
- Dr Claire Edwards (Director of the Institute for Social Science in the 21st Century and Lecturer, University College Cork) Garda Responses to People with Disabilities: Everyday Geographies of Safety and Unsafety
- Terri Sweeney Meade (Principal Assistant Architect, Office of Public Works) Garda Stations and Courts’ Facilities: Making Changes to Spaces
The Courts & Legal Professionals
Chaired by Eilis Barry (Chief Executive, Free Legal Advice Centres)
- Angus Cleary (Inquiry Head, Rapid Response and Special Investigations, Equality and Human Rights Commission, Great Britain) Access and Participation Issues in Court Modernisation Processes and Digital Justice
- Dr Bronagh Byrne (Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queens University Belfast) Legal Professionals supporting Deaf People’s Access to the Justice System
- Dr Alan Cusack (Lecturer in Law, University of Limerick) Evidential Barriers faced by Persons with Disabilities in Criminal Proceedings
Prisons
Chaired by Fíona Ní Chinnéide (Executive Director, Irish Penal Reform Trust)
- Maria Ní Fhlatharta (Research Assistant, Centre for Disability Law and Policy, National University of Ireland, Galway) The Rights of People with Disabilities in Irish Prisons
- Dr Maggie McGovern (Senior Psychologist, Dóchas Centre, Mountjoy Prison) Toward Trauma Responsive Custody: Supporting Mental Health
- Professor Gautam Gulati (Consultant Psychiatrist and Adjunct Associate Clinical Professor at University of Limerick) Intellectual Disabilities in Irish Prisons: Could Article 13 Hold the Key?
Children with Disabilities in the Youth Justice System
Chaired by Dr Karen McAuley (Head of Policy, Ombudsman for Children’s Office)
- Deaglán O Briain (Principal Officer, Department of Justice) The new Youth Justice Strategy: Proposals for A Preventative Approach
- Dr Ursula Kilkelly (Professor and Head of the College of Business and Law, University College Cork and Chairperson of the Board of Management of Oberstown Children Detention Campus) Supporting Children with Disabilities in Child Detention
- Darren Conroy (Programme Manager, Extern) Fostering Community Inclusion for Children with Disabilities in or at the Edge of the Justice System
Decision-Making Capacity and the Criminal Justice System
Chaired by Martina Colville (Head of Corporate, Department of Justice)
- Áine Flynn (Director, Decision Support Service) The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 in the Criminal Justice Context
- Louise Loughlin (National Manager, National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities) Advocating for People with Disabilities in the Criminal Justice Context
- Patricia Rickard-Clarke (Solicitor, Chair, Safeguarding Ireland and Chair, Sage Advocacy) Safeguarding Reform: The Need for a Legal Framework
Probation and Re-integration into the Community after Prison
Chaired by Fergal Black (Director of Care and Rehabilitation, Irish Prison Service)
- Michael Murchan (Assistant Principal Officer, Mental Health Unit, Department of Health) Mental Health Policy and Supports for Former Prisoners
- Barry Owens (Programmes Manager, Irish Association for Social Inclusion Opportunities) Preparing for Release from Prison: The GATE and Resettlement Services
- David Williamson (Senior Probation Officer, Staff Training and Development, Probation Service) Recognising and Responding to Disability in Delivering Effective Interventions with People subject to Probation