Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in a Child’s Relationship with the Justice System

Series Legal Studies Issues Volume 13, No. 2, 2024 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in a Child’s Relationship with the Justice System

Volume 13, No. 2, 2024

Paweł SOBCZYK

Acta Univ. Sapientiae, Legal Studies, 13, 2 (2024) 171–180

DOI: 10.47745/AUSLEG.2024.13.2.09

Abstract. This article explores the incorporation of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) into the Polish justice system, focusing on its relevance for children, including those with disabilities. In 2023, Article 185e(4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure was amended to mandate the use of AAC methods during the interrogation of witnesses who face verbal communication challenges. These provisions align with international frameworks such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the European Parliament Directive 2012/29/EU, ensuring access to justice for vulnerable populations. The article examines the legal basis for AAC implementation, highlighting the principle of single-time questioning to protect witnesses and ensure substantive truth. It examines the unique needs of witnesses requiring AAC, including those with developmental disorders, sensory impairments, and intellectual disabilities, emphasising the role of experts in facilitating communication. Central to the analysis are three groundbreaking materials developed by the Institute of Justice and the Ministry of Justice: the ‘Vademecum AAC’, ‘Boards Supporting Conversation’, and ‘Materials for Children and People with Speech Comprehension Problems’. These resources use systems such as Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) to bridge communication gaps and prepare children for interactions with the judiciary. The study underscores AAC’s transformative potential in the justice system, enhancing child protection, ensuring equitable communication, and promoting rights awareness. It concludes that AAC is a crucial tool for preventing crime, empowering witnesses, and fostering inclusivity in judicial processes.

Keywords: augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), child witnesses, justice system accessibility, communication disabilities, Polish legal reforms

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Volume 13, No. 2, 2024

Not My Fault, But Still My Punishment, Erika Dr CSEMÁNÉ VÁRADI International Legal Framework of Disabled Children’s Right to Benefit from Social Security, Nóra JAKAB The Rights of the Child and Alternative Care, Zdeňka KRÁLÍČKOVÁ Alternative (Child)care – General Remarks and Observations Regarding Placement in Institutional Care, Suzana KRALJIĆ Rights of Children with Disabilities, Wojciech LIS Vulnerability and Children’s Right to a Healthy Environment, with a Special Focus on the Hungarian Ombudsman’s Practice, Ágnes LUX International Legal Framework for Adoption of Children, Maria MASŁOWIEC A Children’s Rights Approach to Surrogacy, Zsófia NAGY Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in a Child’s Relationship with the Justice System, Paweł SOBCZYK From Social Innovation Project to Regular Service: The First Three Years. The Sure Start Children’s House Service in Hungary, Humanitarian Corridors: Solidarity, Security, and Legality in Handling the Refugee Crisis, Péter SZŐKE Efforts to Improve the Educational Prospects and Living Conditions of Roma Children – How the European Union Is Supporting Member States’ Action for the Socioeconomic Integration of the Roma, Julianna Sára TRASER The Complexities of Protecting Children’s Rights During Hybrid Warfare, Csongor Balázs VERESS Front pages in PDF, Inside covers in PDF,

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in a Child’s Relationship with the Justice System - Acta Universitatis Sapientiae