NCJ Number
138376
Journal
Court Manager Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Dated: (Summer 1992) Pages: 5-9
Date Published
1992
Length
5 pages
Annotation
In accordance with Title II of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), State and local government entities, including courts, now must modify policies, practices, and procedures to prevent discrimination; remove architectural barriers; and provide accessible services.
Abstract
For many courts, both physical and communications access barriers present formidable obstacles for individuals with disabilities and could potentially require substantial resources to correct. Court managers minimally need to consider the following elements in examining court operations for physical barriers: parking, exterior steps, accessible entrance, doors, security gate at entrance, interior stairs, floors, restrooms, counters for public information, narrow hallways, water fountain, public telephone, cafeterias, waiting rooms, law library, judge's bench, jury box and jury room, witness box, counsel tables, public seating in courtroom, microphones, acoustics, lighting, assistive technology for those with hearing impairments, and signs/forms. Courthouses constructed after January 26, 1992, must be free of architectural and communication barriers and must comply with technical design standards, but existing facilities will be guided by the mode rating concept of "program accessibility" that allows court managers to identify creative approaches to enhancing court access. National initiatives that may prove helpful to court managers confronting compliance with the ADA are identified.