| T he
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."
The
Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida is in compliance
with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides
reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities to enable
their full participation in court proceedings, programs or services.
If you are a person with a disability who needs assistance
in order to participate in a program or service of the
Court,
please contact:
ADA
Coordinator
| Voice
Mail: |
(305)
349-7175 |
| TDD: |
(305)
349-7174 |
| Fax
No:. |
(305)
349-7355 |
| Email:. |
ADA@jud11.flcourts.org |
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Americans
with Disabilities Act
How
much notice must I give the ADA Coordinator to schedule accommodations
for my visit
to the courthouse?
Some
accommodations, such as sign language interpreters and real-time
reporting, require additional time to schedule. To ensure
service availability, it is recommended that you contact the
ADA Coordinator at least seven days prior to your court appearance
or visit to the courthouse. Please be prepared to explain
the nature of your disability and suggest an auxiliary aid
or service that will enable you to effectively participate
in the court program or service.
What
services can the Court's ADA Coordinator obtain for persons
with disabilities who need to access a court service or program?
Accommodations may include:
· Assistive listening devices;
· Sign language interpreters;
· Oral interpreters;
· Providing materials in large print, braille, diskette, or
audio tapes;
· Reader services;
· Real-time transcription services (under special conditions).
What
services is the Court not required to provide under the ADA?
·
Transportation to and from the courthouse;
· Legal counsel or advice;
· Personal devices such as wheelchairs;
· Personal services such as medical or attendant care;
· A modification of a service, policy or an auxiliary aid
that would result in a fundamental alteration in
the nature of the program or service, or would result in an
undue burden.
How are persons with disabilities
notified that they are eligible for assistance if they need
to access court programs or services?
Pursuant to the Florida
Rules of Judicial Administration 2.540, all documents which
notice court proceedings must include the following language:
"If you are a person with a disability who needs any
accommodation to participate in this proceeding, you are
entitled,
at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance.
Please contact the Miami-Dade County Court's ADA Coordinator
at Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, 175 N.W. 1st Ave.,
Suite 2702, Miami, FL 33128, telephone numbers (305) 349-7175
for voice or (305) 349-7174 for TDD
and 349-7355 for fax, within two working days of your receipt
of this document. If you are hearing or voice impaired,
please call 711 for
the Florida Relay Service."
What should I do if I am a qualified person with a disability who needs assistance in order to participate in a program or service of the courts?
If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to participate in a proceeding, please contact the Court’s ADA Coordinator at least seven (7) days prior to your court appearance or day of service. If you do not request an accommodation, the Court is not required to provide one. A “Request for Accommodations by Persons with Disabilities” must be completed. This form is available at the ADA Coordinator’s office or may be accessed at the following link. See LINK (PDF).
What remedies are available to individuals with disabilities who believe their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act have been violated?
The State Courts System has established grievance procedures that allow for the resolution of complaints without resorting to federal complaint procedures. All persons have a right to pursue complaints of discrimination through the State Court System’s internal complaint procedure.
The Eleventh Judicial Circuit has also adopted a grievance procedure as set forth in the Link below.
The ADA recommends resolving disputes on a local level, if
possible. Individuals who unsuccessfully pursue local remedies
are not prevented from later seeking relief through the United
States Department of Justice at 1-800-514-0301 (voice); 1-800-514-0383
(TDD) and U.S. Department of
Justice ADA Home Page.
ADA Request for Accommodations form
ADA
Grievance Procedures
ADA
Grievance Statement
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