Legal Aid Commission Director, Shahin Ali

It’s important that people living with disabilities have access to legal aid services.

Legal Aid Commission Director, Shahin Ali says to ensure this is done – they recently had a meeting with the Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation.

”The purpose of the meeting was to see how we could better collaborate in terms of making our service delivery more accessible to people with disabilities and special needs. So that was the focus. What we’re also trying to do now is work towards improving access to justice to those with disabilities and special needs.”

Ali says that participants were briefed on the legal processes and the range of services available in family, criminal and civil law matters.

The Director says they collect data regularly and will be providing these to the Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation to identify potential issues that can be improved.

The two organisations are also contemplating a Memorandum of Understanding where each can act as a referral and provide on-going training.

The FDPF and Legal Aid are also holding discussions on possible joint community awareness programs and roadshows.