Resources for Legal Professionals
It is estimated that 1 in 20 people in prisons in the U.S. experience a developmental disability. That does not imply that people with disabilities are more prone to commit crimes. It does, however, mean that they are often entangled in the criminal justice system when they shouldn’t be.
When representing a client with a developmental disability as victim, suspect, or witness, attorneys must first recognize the disability and understand the person’s accommodation needs.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is an anti-discrimination law that maintains a broad definition of disability, so as not to require “extensive analysis” when determining reasonable accommodations.
The following resources can help attorneys, judges and other court personnel interact more effectively with people with developmental disabilities, leading to higher professional satisfaction and better outcomes.
Mentor Oregon Brokerage
MENTOR Oregon’s range of services and supports help people of all ages and abilities build increasingly rich, independent lives.
A Guide for Attorneys
A Handbook to approaching issues and concerns about serving people with developmental disabilities. A public service project of The Criminal Justice
Advocacy Program of The Arc of Jersey
11 chapters of research and evidence-based strategies
Maltreatment of People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Representing People with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Available through the American Bar Association
Victims, Witnesses and Defendants with Mental Illness and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
A Guide for Prosecutors This is a free resource from The Arc U.S., NAMI and Prosecutor’s Center for Excellence
Disabilities Reported by Prisoners
This report from the Bureau of Justice Assistance shows that nearly 2 in 5 state and federal prisoners had at least one disability in 2016.
