The Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS) is a community legal centre in New South Wales. We work with people with an intellectual disability to exercise and advance their rights.
Enabling Justice Report
Enabling Justice is a report on problems and solutions in relation to diversion of alleged offenders with intellectual disability from the New South Wales local courts system with particular reference to the practical operation of s32 of the Mental Health (Criminal Procedure) Act 1990 (NSW)
Enabling Justice report
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Please click here for the complete Enabling Justice report (pdf file)
Enabling Justice Report Easy-read Version
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Please click here for the easy-read version of the Enabling Justice report
(pdf file)
Latest Employment Opportunities
Solicitor: Care and Protection Project for Parents with Intellectual Disability
Closing date: Monday 26 July at 5pm
This position is focused on issues for parents with intellectual disability in Care and Protection matters.
This is a 12 month contract position, and extension may be possible depending on continuation of project
Please click on the link to download the information kit- solicitor, part-time
Outreach Coordinator - Criminal Justice Support Network
Closing date: 5pm Monday 9 August 2010
The Criminal Justice Support Network (CJSN) is a program of the Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS), a community legal centre based in Redfern. CJSN is looking for an experienced and skilled person to coordinate the delivery, in identified regional areas of NSW, of a volunteer-based court and police station support service for people with an intellectual disability who come into contact with the criminal justice system as defendants or victims. Your role will be based in Sydney and involve regular travel to regional areas of NSW to establish and supervise a pool of volunteers to deliver support to clients.
Please click on the link to download more information
Please click on the link to download Outreach Coordinator position description
Please click on the link to download Outreach Coordinator selection criteria
For further information about employment opportunities, please call (02) 9318 0144.
Volunteering Opportunities
Please contact IDRS via email to find out about other volunteering opportunities not mentioned below.
Volunteer Solicitor Programme
IDRS Volunteer Solicitor Program works in conjunction with the Criminal Justice Support Network (CJSN). Through this program volunteer solicitors provide after hours and weekend legal advice (over the phone) to people with intellectual disability who have been arrested and are in police custody. A support person, from the Criminal Justice Support Network, will often be present at the police station to assist the person. The volunteer solicitor does not need to travel to the police station or be based in an office.
Location – NSW (State-wide )
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Please
click here to download information about the IDRS Volunteer Solicitor
Programme (pdf file)
For further information contact Karen Wells (Principal Solicitor, IDRS Inc.) on 9318 0144.
Court Support Volunteers (includes a free 2-day training programme)
Location – Sydney Region
CJSN provides a support person for people with an intellectual disability
who need to appear in court on criminal matters as victims, witnesses
or accused.
Does this type of role interest you?
- Do you have experience working with people who have an intellectual disability?
- Are you interested in supporting vulnerable people in court who have been victimised, accused of a crime or have witnessed a criminal act?
- Are you available to participate in our 2 day free training programme in March 2009?
For more information or to arrange a telephone interview please
contact:
Mitch Fraser or Joanne Karcz (Sydney Regional Coordinators) on 9318 0144
Who We Help
IDRS will help anyone in NSW of any age with an intellectual disability exercise their rights under the law.
What We Do
Legal Help
Legal advice and information is provided for people with an intellectual
disability or others acting on their behalf within NSW. Initial advice
is provided over the phone by appointment.
>>more information
Criminal Justice Support Network (CJSN)
The Criminal Justice Support Network (CJSN) is a State-wide support and
information service for people with an intellectual disability who are
victims, witnesses, suspects or defendants in criminal matters.
>>more information
Police Kit - Getting Arrested Kit - What to Do!
Priority Issues
The priority issues are Criminal Justice and Parents with an Intellectual Disability.
Education
Education and training is provided to people with an intellectual disability,
their carers, service providers as well as employees and volunteers in
the legal system.
>>more information
Information
IDRS produces a number of publications and distributes useful resources,
including fact sheets, books, brochures and training materials.
>>more information
Annual Reports
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2008
~ 2009 Annual Report (low resolution pdf version)
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2007
~ 2008 Annual Report (low resolution pdf version)
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2006
~ 2007 Annual Report (pdf version)