Factors influencing accessibility in judicial institutions for people with disabilities: a study of the Serbian judicial system

Abstract The ability to access judicial institutions significantly improves the quality of life of people with disabilities in relation to their legal matters. This paper examines factors that influence the implementation of accessibility measures in judicial institutions for people with disabilities by analyzing the accessibility of the judicial system in the Republic of Serbia. A dataset collected from a convenience sample of 233 judicial authorities in Serbia was analyzed using statistical methods. Binary logistic regression revealed that familiarity with public premises standards (PPS familiarity) and the implementation of adaptations significantly predict the likelihood of providing accessible services at the institutional level. Specifically, judicial institutions that had implemented accessibility adaptations were 5.5 times more likely to provide adapted services, while PPS familiarity increased this likelihood by 2.8 times. A second logistic regression model demonstrated that PPS familiarity and specific requests for adaptations increased the likelihood of implementing accessibility measures by 4.8 and 2.9 times, respectively. Path analysis further clarified the relationships among these factors, indicating that PPS familiarity and the implementation of adaptations play crucial roles in enhancing the accessibility of legal services. The findings can inform the development of strategies aimed at improving the quality of life of people with disabilities through increased accessibility of judicial institutions.