ADA Information
Americans with Disabilities Act
The 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."
Proclamation In Re: Twentieth Anniversary of the ADA
Revised Rule of Judicial Administration 2.540
Court ADA Accommodations and Grievance Procedure Information
- ADA Modification Request Form
- Directory of Florida Courts ADA Coordinators - Revised January 2024
- State Courts System Grievance Procedure (Designation of Responsible Person and Internal Grievance Procedure for the Supreme Court and State Courts System)
- Grievance Complaint Form (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Statement of Grievance)
State Courts System ADA Guidelines
These guidelines have been developed to assist judges and staff in implementing the ADA in the court system.
The Title I Guidelines were prepared to assist elected officials, nonjudicial officers, and supervisors in ensuring compliance with the employment provisions of the ADA. Included are a practical summary of Title I, an overview of the legal obligations in recruiting practices and the interview process, and available references and resources.
The Title II Guidelines were prepared to assist judicial officers and courthouse personnel in understanding the state and local government provisions of the ADA and to assist them in ensuring that architectural or communication barriers do not obstruct any person's access to the courts. Included are a practical summary of Title II, an overview of accessibility requirements, and guidance on determining appropriate accommodations.
Electronic Accessibility
Creating Accessible Documents Using Microsoft Word
Additional ADA Information
The ADA is organized into five titles that provide definitions and prohibitions of disability within a specific arena:
- Title I applies to employment and provides protection for qualified applicants and employees, including judges and court staff.
- Title II applies to programs and services of state and local governments, including the judicial branch. Title II provides that "subject to the provisions of this title, no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity."
- Title III applies to public accommodations and services operated by private entities. Examples include attorneys, mediators, physicians, hotels, transportation services, restaurants, stores, airlines, and shopping malls.
- Title IV applies to telecommunications.
- Title V contains miscellaneous provisions.
Agencies below provide informal guidance in understanding and complying with different provisions of the ADA.
The Department of Justice offers technical assistance on the ADA Standards for Accessible Design and other ADA provisions applying to businesses, non-profit service agencies, and state and local government programs. It also provides information on how to file ADA complaints.
- ADA Information Line
- 800-514-0301 (voice)
- 800-514-0383 (TDD)
- Electronic bulletin board
- 202-514-6193
- Internet address
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission offers technical assistance on the ADA provisions applying to employment; also provides information on how to file ADA complaints.
- Employment - questions
- 800-669-4000 (voice)
- 800-669-6820 (TDD)
- Employment - documents
- 800-669-3362 (voice)
- 800-800-3302 (TDD)
- Internet address
- Access Board, or Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, offers technical assistance on the ADA Accessibility Guidelines.
- Documents and questions
- 800-872-2253 (voice)
- 800-993-2822 (TDD)
- Electronic bulletin board
- 202-272-5448
- Internet address
Other Links
- U.S. Dept. of Justice ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Government
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - A service provided by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, JAN provides free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.
- Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Links to ADA Information on Trial and Appellate Court Websites
- 1st Circuit ADA Information
- 2nd Circuit ADA Information
- 3rd Circuit ADA Information
- 4th Circuit ADA Information
- 5th Circuit ADA Information
- 6th Circuit ADA Information
- 7th Circuit ADA Information
- 8th Circuit ADA Information
- 9th Circuit ADA Information
- 10th Circuit ADA Information
- 11th Circuit ADA Information
- 12th Circuit ADA Information
- 13th Circuit ADA Information
- 14th Circuit ADA Information
- 15th Circuit ADA Information
- 16th Circuit ADA Information
- 17th Circuit ADA Information
- 18th Circuit ADA Information
- 19th Circuit ADA Information
- 20th Circuit ADA Information
- 1st DCA ADA Information
- 2nd DCA ADA Information
- 3rd DCA ADA Information
- 4th DCA ADA Information
- 5th DCA ADA Information
- 6th DCA ADA Information
- Supreme Court ADA Information