ADA & Lactation Accommodations
The Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a federal civil rights statute that requires all state and local governmental entities, including the courts, to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities who have an interest in court services, programs, and activities. The Superior Court does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment or in the admission and access to its services, programs, or activities. The Court has designated a Court wide ADA Coordinator and ADA Liaisons at each Courthouse to ensure that facility's compliance with the requirements of the ADA.
Disability Accommodations in Court
It is the policy of the Superior Court of California, County of Orange to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal and full access to the judicial system. Orange County Justice Centers have on-site ADA Coordinators to assist with accommodation requests.
The Judicial Council of California created the pamphlet Disability Accommodations in California Courts (PDF) to explain how California courts meet ADA requirements.
Available Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities
The Court has several services and technologies available to make Court services, programs, and activities accessible to as many people as possible. If you have questions about accommodations that may be available, please contact the Court wide ADA Coordinator at (657) 622-7769 or via email at ADAInformation@OCcourts.org.
The ADA does not provide to individuals with disabilities personal devices, such as wheelchairs; individually prescribed devices such as prescription eyeglasses or hearing aids; readers for personal use or study; or services of a personal nature including assistance in eating, toileting, or dressing.
Request for Accommodations by Persons with Disabilities
If you have a disability and need an accommodation, you may request an accommodation by using the Judicial Council optional form, Request for Accommodation by Persons with Disability and Response (MC-410). Instructions to fill the form are available on Judicial Council form How to Request a Disability Accommodation for Court (MC-410-INFO).
You may also obtain assistance at a local Court. Please make your request as far in advance as you can, but at least five (5) court days before your appearance or appointment. More time allows the Court to better respond to requests for accommodation.
IMPORTANT: Any communication related to your request for accommodation, including any submission of Form MC-410, must be limited strictly to the accommodation request itself. Do not include any discussion of the subject matter or merits of your case. Any communication that addresses the details or merits of a court proceeding will not be considered and may be returned to the applicant for correction.
You may submit your completed form:
- Via e-mail to the Court’s ADA Coordinator at ADAInformation@OCCourts.org or the postal address below
- Via e-filing in the court record for your case.
- In person at the clerk’s office filing window or to the ADA Liaison at your courthouse
- By submitting it to the Department or courtroom hearing your case.
Jurors can also submit requests to the Juror Services Department identified on your jury summons.
Courthouse Evacuation Protocol for Persons with Access or Functional Needs
Any member of the public with access or functional needs who is requesting assistance during an evacuation should flag down the first available Orange County Sheriff Department (OCSD) staff member or request a court staff member contact OCSD. Once contacted, the individual should remain in the nearest stairwell landing until First Responders arrive, additional communication is provided, or it is no longer safe to remain.
Forms
- MC-410 - Request for Accommodations by Persons with Disabilities and Response
- MC-410 Info – How to request a Disability Accommodation for court.