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The Ministry of Justice has released a new framework for the communication assistance service it provides to court participants like defendants and witnesses.
The Communication Assistance Quality Framework provides guidance on communication assistance service providers, the service delivery procedure and the ministry’s process of monitoring quality improvement, according to the New Zealand Law Society. The government added that the framework is “a resource for all those involved in using communication assistance including judges, lawyers, police, and other justice sector professionals.”
The Ministry of Justice said on its website that the framework “supports consistent use of the service throughout the country and sets expectations of all court-appointed communication assistants.” The Communication Assistance Quality Framework provides the following information:
“Communication assistance is an important service for courts to ensure that defendants understand court proceedings, and defendants and witnesses (participants) can give evidence to the best of their ability,” the ministry said.
The government suggests that defence counsel and prosecutors submit an application for communication assistance in cases wherein they suspect that court participants may have difficulty understanding and responding to questions while on trial. The ministry also recommends the service to court participants who may struggle with communicating effectively with their lawyers.
Successful applicants will be referred to communication and language specialists under a judge’s direction. These specialists evaluate the applicants’ communication abilities and make recommendations to the court on how effective communication can be established for a specific proceeding.
The Ministry of Justice said that the majority of court participants who need communication assistance are those who “have a disability, autism or other neurodiversity, brain injury or under-developed language and communication skills.” Children may also apply for this service.
The ministry confirmed that a communication assistant may guide lawyers and the judge in executing the recommendations by:
In the event that a considerable volume of additional work is generated, legal aid lawyers who avail of the service may request an amendment to grant. Where communication assistance is necessary in a trial, a pre-trial/ground-rules hearing is recommended to clear up roles and limit misunderstandings during the proceedings.
Communication assistance is offered across New Zealand wherever Evidence Act 2006 is upheld.
The book, called “I go to the toilet,” was developed by Northland students Mya Kereopa and Kahn Tangihaere-Brom. The inspiration for the project was Mya’s brother Zane. When she saw one of the learning resources her 4-year-old brother who has autism was given, she decided it wasn’t up to standard. So she and her Kamo High School business classmate Kahn Tangihaere-Brom have done something about it.
The pair created and printed a toileting book titled “I go to the toilet” targeted at children with intellectual disabilities, and with the help of Moretalk, are now planning to produce a Te Reo Maori version of the book.
Michelle Bonetti said Moretalk wanted to celebrate the te reo edition to mark Te Wiki o te reo Maori and Speech Language Therapy Awareness Week.
“We are a bicultural society and a multicultural society and there’s just not enough resources out there, not just for the diversity of the learners that we have, but the languages.”
The students are working with someone to help with translation, and then plan to take it to local iwi for feedback.
Zane was the first to test out the new book, and he loves it, according to Mya.
“Zane loves it, he brings it to the toilet all the time and mum and my brother sit in the toilet and read it together and he interacts with the pictures.”
Last month they printed their first 50 books and in the first day, they sold about 15. If you are interested in the books you can visit the NDLR Facebook page.
