Accommodations

Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits, under certain circumstances, discrimination based on disability.  The ADA does not apply to the federal judiciary.  However, pursuant to Judicial Conference policy, federal courts provide reasonable accommodations to persons with communications disabilities.

In November of 2012, the Central District of California approved Guidelines for Providing Accommodations for Trial Participants with Communications Disabilities, Jurors, and Members of the Public, which comply with Judicial Conference policy. For additional information and the procedure to be followed for the consideration of requests for such accommodations, please contact the court's Access Coordinator at [email protected]

Interpreter Services

The Interpreter Services Department provides language support locally to the court’s four divisions (Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Riverside, Santa Barbara). Interpreters are appointed only in proceedings instituted by the United States. In all other proceedings, it is up to the parties to contract and compensate interpreters. However, it is the policy of the Judicial Conference that all Federal courts provide reasonable accommodations to persons with communications disabilities in all court proceedings, including sign language interpreters or other appropriate auxiliary aids and services.