Summary of State and Local Justice Initiatives 2000

THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: Domestic Abuse, Aids, the Disabled, the Elderly, the Homeless, etc.

Numerous courts and bars have developed programs for groups such as the elderly, the disabled and the homeless. The programs and projects developed includea symposium on legal services for AIDS victims, legal services for the homeless and a domestic violence legal helpline. Advocacy for these groups is crucial as their special needs are often exacerbated by moderate to low income resources, thus further limiting access to justice and fairness in the areas of employment, housing, etc.

The Georgia Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Advocates for Special Needs Children Committee sees that school districts are providing the education required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A video addressing domestic violence from the perspective of teenagers titled, "He Loves Me…Not," was shown on the Arkansas Educational Television Network in May 1999. This video is a project of the Youth Education Committee of the Arkansas Bar Association. In addition to airing on TV, the video is made available to schools, churches and community organizations throughout the state.

The Denver Post focused on a program at the University of Denver College of Law in which law students are paired with social work students to help low-income people with restraining orders, custody, eviction and collection issues. Prior to case management, these students were immersed in a domestic violence education program. The original task force partnered with law firms to educate lawyers and staff about what domestic violence looks like. They have produced pamphlets and small cards distributed in offices and restrooms. One subcommittee has worked with the Supreme Court on exploring ways to improve the efficient and effective handling of family law cases and with State Judiciary on reviewing restraining orders to ensure uniformity. The subcommittee worked with the Colorado Judicial Institute to help address the needs of children in the courts.

In Illinois, the Family Violence Coordinating Council works across the health, justice and social service systems to improve the administration of justice in domestic violence cases.

In Massachusetts, a video on obtaining a civil restraining order, previously produced in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Khmer, will this year be captioned for the benefit of deaf or hard of hearing victims of domestic violence.

The Nashville (TN) Bar Association developed an extensive book on the "Legal Rights of the Homeless" that was distributed to all community agencies working with the homeless.

The Dallas Bar Association promotes improved public perception of the justice system through an array of educational and community outreach projects including a legal clinic for the elderly.

For further information on these special needs issues contact the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence, 202/662-1737; the ABA Commission on the Elderly, 202/662-8685; the ABA Aids Project, 202/662-1026; ABA Commission on Mental & Physical Disability Law, 202/662-1570; the ABA Homeless Commission, 202/662-1692. Representatives from each of these commissions can help with further direction to sources for assistance with specific problems.