Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted by Congress in 1990 to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination in access to employment, governmental services and programs, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. As stated in the law, the ADA is "an Act to establish a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability."

	Access to the Florida Courts: Identifying and Eliminating Architectural Barriers View as Word or PDF File
	Florida Court ADA Coordinators View as Word or PDF File Revised 01/31/08
Chief Justice R. Fred Lewis speaks about the importance of ensuring that courthouses are accessible to persons with disabilities.  Nearly 400 people attended the regional training sessions, which were designed to prepare participants for surveying the accessibility of court facilities across the state. See the video or read the transcript.
Grievance Procedure (Designation of Responsible Person and Internal Grievance Procedure for the Supreme Court and State Courts System) and the Grievance Complaint Form (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Statement of Grievance)
Links U.S. Dept. of Justice ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Government U.S. Access Board Courthouse Accessibility Advisory Committee

ADA Title Classifications

Definitions and prohibitions of disability within a specific arena:

• Title I applies to employment and provides protection for qualified applicants and employees, including judges and court staff.
• Title II applies to programs and services of state and local governments, including the judicial branch. Title II provides that "subject to the provisions of this title, no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity."
• Title III applies to public accommodations and services operated by private entities. Examples include attorneys, mediators, physicians, hotels, transportation services, restaurants, stores, airlines, and shopping malls.
• Title IV applies to telecommunications.
• Title V contains miscellaneous provisions.

State Courts System Guidelines

OSCA-developed guidelines that assist judges and staff in implementing the ADA in the court system.

The Title I Guidelines were prepared to assist elected officials, nonjudicial officers, and supervisors in ensuring compliance with the employment provisions of the ADA. Included are a practical summary of Title I, an overview of the legal obligations in recruiting practices and the interview process, and available references and resources.

The Title II Guidelines were prepared to assist judicial officers and courthouse personnel in understanding the state and local government provisions of the ADA and to assist them in ensuring that architectural or communication barriers do not obstruct any person's access to the courts. Included are a practical summary of Title II, an overview of accessibility requirements, and guidance on determining appropriate accommodations.

Guidelines - Provision of Real-Time Court Reporting Servicesfor Attorneys with Disabilities

Tips For Planning Accessible Meetings