Access to Justice for People with Disability in Nigeria: Therapeutic Day Care Centre (TDCC) as a Case Study

Abstract

Access to justice through the court system for non-disabled persons is trampled upon every day in Nigeria. One can then imagine the plight of the disabled persons most of whom live in abject poverty and constant discrimination from their respective families, religious congregation, educational sectors, Judicial practices and the ineffectiveness of the government policies, which clearly plummeted people’s confidence in the social justice system as well as the entire political structure. Against this backdrop, this study presents the findings of the analyses of these discriminations and Injustices; stemming from basic amenities to prevailing cultural vices, religious practices and lack of commitment on the part of the government. To attend and implement the needs of the disabled persons, which are hindrances to access to justice for the disabled persons in Nigeria. Thus this writer used Therapeutic Day Care Centre (TDCC) as a case study by interviewing the people that work with them as well as primary and secondary data. The conclusion points to the needs of these ‘special’ groups or disabled persons that were explicitly listed herein to be strictly adhered and for the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to take a proactive stand to redress the lawful inadequacies so as to enhance their access to justice. Keywords: Alternative Dispute Resolution; Multi-door courthouse; Litigation; Access to Justice; Disabled Person; Therapeutic; Human rights.