Consultation on United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD): analysis of responses - summary

Outcome 4 - Equal and inclusive access to the justice system without fear of being unfairly judged or punished, and with protection of personal and private rights

There were six commitments included under Outcome 4. Consultees were asked if they agreed or disagreed that these commitments would help the Scottish Government make progress towards Outcome 4. Eighty per cent agreed that they would.

Commitment 50 (encouraging the reporting of hate crime against disabled people) received the most comments. There was a belief that education and awareness-raising around hate crime, such as what hate crime is, the impact of hate crime, and how to report a hate crime , was required. It was believed that disabled people, the general public, children and professionals who deal with hate crime, could all benefit from education and awareness-raising. It was also believed that disabled people needed more support to report hate crime.

The need for engagement and inclusive communication were recurring themes.

There was also a belief that some of the commitments should be expanded. In relation to commitment 51 (accessible information), for example, consultees suggested that the kind of information made available in accessible formats should be widened and for the range of formats to be increased.

Similarly, with commitment 52 (accessibility of sites and services) consultees wanted this to be widened out to go beyond wheelchair access and consider a wider range of potential barriers.

Commitment 54 refers to violence against disabled women and girls, but some consultees pointed out that disabled men and boys may also face violence, and that violence against any disabled person needs to be addressed.