Engagement Between Justice System Vis-À-Vis Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Venkatesan S. Professor, Clinical Psychology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore: 570 006 (Karnataka) India Online published on 9 April, 2015. Abstract While persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities are deemed as legitimate and equitable stakeholders under various provisions of law, there are reasons to suspect that ground realities could be different. Based on a research design that combines case study and cross sectional survey, data was elicited from 75 informants to compile 10 distinct areas, 37 themes and 7 levels of their contemplated and/or attempted engagements with the justice system. The areas of concern cover marriage, education, health, housing, employment, inheritance, citizenship, civil and political participation, legal capacity, decision-making, custody, reimbursement, and victimization. A second layer analysis reveals specific themes, their places of visitation, illustrative problems and issues. Although there is apparent intent to seek judicial redress, their actual engagements with the formal justice system is minimal at 41%, and the eventual ‘verdict rate’ is even lower at 13%. Related issues are raised with plea for jurisprudence to be sensitive towards uplifting, amelioration and empowerment of these persons in the country. Top Keywords Jurisprudence, Equity, Victimization, Thematic Analysis, Mental Retardation. Top |