What are my rights to reasonable accommodations in state courts?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)1 gives “qualified persons with a disability” broad rights. These rights include: (1) The right to be free from discrimination; and (2) The right to have reasonable accommodations in state courts. State courts include small claims courts, juvenile courts, municipal courts, probate courts, family courts, superior courts, district courts of appeal, and the California State Supreme Court. In addition to the ADA, state law gives people with hearing impairments certain rights. If you are deaf of hearing impaired, and you are a party, a witness or a juror, you have a right to a court-appointed qualified interpreter. The court should not begin the proceeding until you can see the interpreter clearly.2 Also, if you are a party, a witness, a juror, or someone who wants to watch a proceeding, and if you have a hearing impairment, you have the right to an assistive listening system or a computer-aided transcription system.3 State law also gives you the r
Related Questions
- Assuming a violation of disability access and accommodations rights is substantiated by an investigation, how will the Office of Compliance seek correction of the violation?
- Can DOJ reconcile the differing requirements for providing court interpreters in federal courts and in the state courts?
- What are my rights to reasonable accommodations in state courts?
