Access to Justice: A Review of ADA Notice Requirements on Washington State Court Websites

• In Event: 50221 - Section on Disability in Society Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 2: Disability, Policy, and Social Institutions

Abstract

Thirty-five years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), scholars and activists continue to debate the law’s impact. Heralded as a transformative civil rights law for disabled people, the ADA prohibits disability-based discrimination in broad swaths of social life: employment, public accommodations, transportation, and state and local government services. However, the extent to which various entities have implemented the ADA’s anti-discrimination provisions remains unclear, and prior research suggests limited ADA compliance among state and local government agencies. This study seeks to contribute to this knowledge gap by examining implementation of one small, but vital, ADA requirement in Washington state courts: public notice of the right to accommodations. Using an appraisal tool based on ADA regulations, Washington State Court Rules, and Department of Justice guidance, this study assessed 178 trial court websites across the state. The evaluation focused on the accessibility, clarity, and availability of accommodation information. Initial findings suggest that a majority of court websites do not provide meaningful notice of the right to an accommodation and how to access that right. This study underscores a critical gap between legal mandates and practical implementation in ensuring access to justice for people with disabilities.

Authors

• Heather D. Evans, University of Washington

• Katie Warden, University of Washington

• Kaitlin Brouillard, University of Washington, Northwest ADA Center