Lack of routine disability screening in our criminal justice system | Article
Key Finding 8 Understanding the complex legal needs of people with disability in Western Australia necessitates the examination of key challenges in our current system. One significant issue is the lack of routine disability screening in our criminal justice system. The current criminal justice system doesn’t sufficiently accommodate the complex needs of people with disability. […]
Conflicts of interest and perceived conflicts of interest as barriers to legal assistance | Article
Key Finding 7 A conflict of interest arises within the legal profession when a lawyer’s personal or professional interests may impede their ability to serve their client’s best interests. Such conflicts can occur when a lawyer or a legal firm represents two or more parties whose interests are antagonistic to each other. Legal professionals are […]
Sector-wide capability gaps in Legal Services for People with Disability in Western Australia | Article
Key Finding 6 The community legal sector across Western Australia is a diverse, skilled and competent mechanism creating accessible pathways to legal help for all. The sector continues to develop, improve and adjust to the changing demands of the community, government and the legal profession. This finding does however note gaps in capabilities which do […]
Defining an organisation’s readiness to provide legal help to people with disability | Article
Key Finding 5 Defining an organisation’s readiness to provide comprehensive and competent legal assistance to people with disability presents several challenges. An integral aspect of this readiness lies in whether the organisation possesses the necessary specialist knowledge on relevant legal matters. Importantly, this expertise should not be limited to a single individual within the organisation; […]
Legal problem types specific to people with disability | Article
Key Finding 4 This key finding looks at legal problem types specific to people with disability. In Western Australia, individuals with disability encounter distinct legal issues that require comprehensive understanding and proactive solutions. These concerns span several topics, including guardianship and administration, restricted practices, NDIS service agreements, sexual harassment, disability discrimination, supported decision making, […]
Legal problem types and severity for people with disability | Article
Key Finding 3 Legal problem types and severity for people with disability in Western Australia present a compelling case for customised support and services Individuals with disabilities often encounter a unique mix of legal problems, accentuated by disability-specific factors. These range from issues related to discrimination, healthcare, social services, and financial management to housing and […]
Mechanisms to accessing legal assistance | Article
Key Finding 2 The key finding highlights the importance of developing tailored mechanisms to facilitate access to legal assistance for individuals in Western Australia, particularly those who experience disability and other forms of disadvantage (Department of Communities). Mechanisms refer to the various services and solutions designed to assist individuals in accessing legal support. Access to […]
Intersectionality and legal problem severity | Article
Key Finding 1 Our study in Western Australia sheds light on the profound relationship between intersectionality and legal problem severity for individuals with disabilities (Kalico Consulting for the WA Collaborative Services Planning Group, 2017). Intersectionality, a concept originating from social sciences, particularly from the work of scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in the late 1980s, refers to […]
