Recognizing the need for assistance in the area of equal access in Louisiana trial courts, the Access to Justice Program provides the following services to the courts:
Accommodating a Person with a Disability
The Americans with Disabilities Act is a comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities that became effective July 26, 2000. The United States Department of Justice enforces the requirements of Title II addressing programs, services and activities of State and local government. Louisiana's courts strive to make the courts' programs and services accessible to all. The ADA home page on the United States Department of Justice website is found at
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm.
The Access to Justice Program assists courts in providing full community access to programs in existing facilities and provides guidance in planning new construction and renovations. The Program also provides guidance to the courts in providing auxiliary aids and services for persons requesting an accommodation for their disability.
By statute, courts shall provide, based on expressed needs, auxiliary aids or services to interpret any proceeding for a person who is deaf or hard of hearing. This includes a person who is a party, juror, witness, spectator, or a juvenile whose parent, guardian or foster parent is deaf or hard of hearing if the juvenile is brought to any court proceeding. Qualified interpreters are those licensed and certified and the Court will evaluate the qualifications of the interpreter. Fees for such services are paid by the Court. (See La. R.S. 46:2361-2368).
For questions or assistance regarding requirements of Title II of the ADA with regard to court proceedings, please call 504.227.7850 or send an email to the Operations Manager,
Damon Anderson.
Links to other sites: National Center for State Courts
http://www.ncsconline.org