Mediation availability for persons with certain types of disability : case study covering Wielkopolska

Abstract

PURPOSE: The basic purpose of the research was to check whether persons from Wielkopolska province with locomotor system or vision disabilities have access to mediation. If negative, to find the reasons.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This article presents the qualitative-quantitative studies applied. The research tool were supervised telephone surveys containing answers and utterances concerning opinions on the availability of mediation for persons with locomotor system and vision disabilities, and on any existing barriers within this scope.

FINDINGS: The lack of sufficient knowledge of mediation and the existing urban and architectural barriers cause that mediation is not readily available and is not used by persons with locomotor and sight disabilities in Wielkopolska.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings may be used in further studies on disabled persons’ access to mediation in Poland. The results may be particularly useful for mediators, and organisations dealing with mediation, in developing standards of mediation with the participation of disabled persons.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This is the initial effort in studying the matter of disabled persons’ access to mediation in Poland.