Court Watch NGO Presents Findings on Disability Access
Following a 10-month study of access for persons with disabilities in Bulgarian courts, USAID sub-grantee, Center for Independent Living, presented its findings on September 5 in Sofia. Working under the Judicial Strengthening Initiative Competitive Grants Program, the Center monitored thirteen cases heard in 2005-06 at the Sofia Regional Court, Sofia City Court, and the Supreme Administrative Court. JSI Acting Director Virginia Leavitt, and Supreme Administrative Court Chairperson Konstantin Penchev, addressed the meeting of disability advocates on the value of their work to press for greater reforms within the judiciary. Ms. Leavitt explained that “access to the courts is a cornerstone of justice, and justice for all means access for all.”
The Court Watch program studied persons with disabilities’ experiences with court services, physical barriers to courthouses and courtrooms, and the impartiality of judges in cases with disabled parties. The study involved volunteer law students from Sofia University, and the grant was managed by the Center Board – which is comprised mostly of persons with disabilities. The report concluded that many barriers still remain. Most disabled parties, for example, do not attend hearings, but instead send lawyers, thus limiting their access to justice. Especially troubling is the layout of the Palace of Justice building, where disabled access is extremely difficult.
The report concluded on a positive note, praising the Supreme Administrative Court as a “model” of accessibility for persons with disabilities. Chairperson Konstantin Penchev explained that after a leg injury, he came to better understand the needs of the disabled and, in turn, promoted better courthouse facilities including installing wheelchair access.
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| JSI Acting Director Virginia Leavitt (second from right) addresses the disabilities
Court Watch seminar in Sofia |
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