Human Dignity Clinic Teaches Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities

JSW School of Law is a palatial campus on a Himalayan mountain. A beautiful setting, but far from where the clinic work must be done. That does not keep JSW Law School's three clinics from connecting to the community. The clinic work for persons with disabilities is a good example of how clinics can overcome geographic isolation. 

For starters, we have our driver Ugyen and a Toyota Coaster bus to take us to the people. Although Bhutan has no traffic lights, and few traffic cops, the mountain roads and conditions can present a daunting challenge. I have thanked Ugyen for my life more than once. But that's another post to come.

The Human Dignity Clinic teamed up with NGOs to create an Access to Justice Toolkit for Persons with Disabilities. The students presented the Toolkit to the NGO on an early trip to the capitol Thimphu. The NGO was happy with the product. The next step was to teach persons with disabilities about the legal rights in the Toolkit.

The persons with disabilities community then conducted a workshop to sensitize us to their lives. This would help us to develop a Street Law program to teach them about legal rights and responsibilities. 

Above, the students follow a Street Law approach to develop interactive curriculum to teach persons with disabilities about their legal rights and responsibilities. This is an activity to get the audience hooked on law.
Below is the dress rehearsal for the first program to teach access to justice to persons with disabilities. The students try out their curriculum on each other and make adjustments to create an effective Street Law program.

From dress rehearsal to teaching persons with disabilities about access to justice. The students did a great job and the surveys reflected appreciation for their efforts.