A series of workshops in P.E.I. is bringing together people with intellectual disabilities, their families, justice professionals, and first responders to discuss solutions for navigating the overwhelming justice system.

The initiative aims to help people with intellectual disabilities on Prince Edward Island understand and navigate the justice system better. Julie Smith, executive director of the P.E.I. Association for Community Living, says dealing with police and courts can be confusing and overwhelming when information is difficult to understand.

The goal is to help people with disabilities understand their rights and know what support they can ask for, such as slower speech, pictures, checklists, or a support person to help them through the process. After the workshops, the association plans to prepare a report and seek funding to develop helpful resources for people with disabilities and their families.

The P.E.I. Association for Community Living has spent close to a year speaking with people with intellectual disabilities and their families to understand the challenges they face when dealing with police and the courts. The workshops organized by the association are helping gather more information and find practical solutions and identify the training needed for police officers, lawyers, and others in the justice system.

Source: Thinh Nguyen, CBC