Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Persons with a disability recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act are entitled to a "reasonable" accommodation. The intent of the Third Circuit Court is to assure that individuals with a disability have equal and full access to the judicial system.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), individuals with disabilities (as defined by the ADA) may be entitled to accommodations to participate in Court hearings or other business with the Court. The 13th Judicial Circuit Court has enacted a local administrative order (LAO 2019-08) setting forth the Court's policies and procedures with respect to ADA accommodations.

Physical Mobility Impairment: Requests for reasonable accommodations for physical mobility impairment may be submitted on the Request for Accommodation form to the ADA Contact Person for the designated court location.

Hearing, Speech and/or Visual Impairment: Requests for assisted listening devices, interpreters or readers for the hearing or visually impaired may be presented to the ADA contact person designated at the court location, the Courtroom Clerk, or staff in the courtroom of the judge or judicial officer who will preside over the proceeding. The request may be made orally or in writing on the Request for Accommodation form to the ADA Contact Person for the designated court location.

To Make an ADA Request: To request an accommodation, we ask that you complete a SCAO form MC-70 REQUEST FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS and email to the ADA Coordinator, Trina Girardin at tgirardin@13thcircuitcourt.org. Your request for reasonable accommodation(s) will be reviewed promptly.

Grievance Process: If your request is denied for any reason, you may fill out SCAO form MC-70a REVIEW OF REQUEST FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AND RESPONSE and email to the ADA Coordinator, Trina Girardin at tgirardin@13thcircuitcourt.org. Your request for review will be considered in accordance with the court's Local Administrative Order 2019-08, and a decision will be communicated to you in writing or some other accessible format. Grievances regarding court practices or procedures outside of specific requests for accommodation may be submitted in accordance with the court's local administrative order (LAO 2019-08). If you have additional questions regarding an accommodation under the ADA, please contact the court's ADA Coordinator, Trina Girardin, at (231)922-4707.

Reference: The Americans with Disabilities Act | ADA.gov