Conference theme: Facilitating the effective and equal participation of persons with disabilities in the Irish criminal justice system (Article 13 UNCRPD)
Details: Wednesday, 21 October 2020, 10am–4pm
The NDA Annual Conference 2020 will focus 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 will consider Article 13 across the various stages of the justice process including related policy and programme activities such as rehabilitation, education, moving on to employment and life in the community from prison.
The conference will also provide 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.
The theme is especially timely given Ireland’s preparations to submit its first State Report to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2020, and the ongoing development of both a new criminal justice sectoral strategy and youth justice strategy. Furthermore, the conference provides an opportunity to consider the implications of the International Principles and Guidelines on Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities, adopted in August 2020 by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Special Envoy of UN Secretary-General on Disability and Accessibility.
In light of ongoing public health restrictions, the 2020 Annual Conference will be a fully virtual event. For further information, please consult the full conference programme. Attendees should examine the programme carefully in order to choose the breakout session they wish to attend. The programme can be accessed on the NDA website: www.nda.ie (and attached for ease).
Conference registration can be accessed through the following link: https://confpartners.eventsair.com/nda-2020/registration. As places are limited, early registration is recommended.