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Enhancing Accessibility in Courts: A Comprehensive Approach for Inclusivity

This guide outlines essential strategies for assessing and improving accessibility in court systems. By recognizing that disability is a societal interaction rather than a deficiency, we can foster inclusivity for aging populations and individuals with diverse needs. Key steps include forming a dedicated team, documenting barriers, prioritizing practical solutions, and ensuring compliance with new laws. The guide emphasizes the importance of barrier-free environments, effective signage, and trained personnel, creating a courtroom experience that accommodates everyone.

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Enhancing Accessibility in Courts: A Comprehensive Approach for Inclusivity

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  1. Accessible Courts Assessing your Accessibility 2009 Affiliate Conference

  2. The World Today - or Why Should I Care? • Aging Population • Easier Service Delivery • New and Renewed Laws and Court Cases • It’s the Right Thing to Do – the Interactional Model • Disability is a difference, not a deficiency • Being disabled in itself is a neutral • Disability comes from the interaction between a person and society

  3. Suggestions to Get You Started: • Form a team • Measure, take notes and record everything • Note all problems and areas that need improving; compile a list • Prioritize, focus on practical solutions for you and create a timeline • Document everything; monitor results

  4. What Do I Look For? • Think about people facing all types of barriers - For physical limits, look at space, height and surfaces - For hearing, notice decibel levels, speed of speech delivery and distance from the speaker - For visual, check lighting, contrast and size of print, plus resources for the blind - For cognitive, think simple, clear and with pictures

  5. The Approach and Entrance: • Adequate handicapped parking • Clear signs; 60 inches from ground to sign • Distance from the parking lot to the building • Main door accessible - Crutches or wheelchair - Slow moving adults - Visually challenged persons - Impaired strength • Pathway free of obstacles with a smooth surface

  6. Inside Your Building: • Barrier-free corridors 36 inches wide • Signage on the latch side of all doors - Readable by blind and low-vision citizens - Readable by someone wheelchair bound • 18 inch offset between the doorframe and the side wall on the latch side • Doors equipped with levers

  7. Are Services Available? • Forms available for low vision and blind • Loop or infrared system for hearing impaired • Accessible restrooms • Courtrooms accommodate all people • Emergency system with lights and sound • Staff trained to sensitively help

  8. Where To Get Help: • Accessible Courts Initiative - Website review (Accessibility Awareness Program) - Physical review - Questions from Affiliates • Websites http://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/toolkitmain.htm - ADA Toolkit http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/checklist/a16.html - Survey Tools http://www.vita.virginia.gov/uploadedFiles/Library/ITAccessibilityRequirementsChecklist.pdf - Website Survey http://www.access-board.gov/caac/report.htm - specific to courtrooms There are lots of sites!

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