The Michigan Supreme Court on Wednesday issued Administrative Order No. 2015-5 to ensure continued compliance in Michigan’s trial courts with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Michigan law requirements.
“Making access to courts convenient for all is a top priority for the Supreme Court and is a key element of our plan to improve service to the public,” said Chief Justice Robert P. Young Jr. “This Administrative Order will help us ensure that courts continue to be both aware of and compliant with state and federal law requirements related to services to people with disabilities.”
The Administrative Order requires trial courts to:
—Adopt a local administrative order that describes the procedure to be followed for a person to request accommodations in that court.
—Designate a court employee to be the court’s ADA coordinator.
—Ensure that the chief judge and ADA coordinator participate in training regarding the duties and obligations of a court in compliance with the ADA, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, the Deaf Persons’ Interpreters Act, and the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act.
The State Court Administrative Office has scheduled ADA compliance training this fall for judges and court staff.
In conjunction with this Administrative Order, the State Court Administrative Office announced the implementation of a new performance measure related to access to the courts by those with disabilities. This Administrative Order and performance measure are part of a Supreme Court initiative to promote better public service and more efficient courts. As part of “Driving Change to Improve Service to the Public,” the Supreme Court is assisting trial courts in “driving change” by using performance measures, benchmarking, and implementing best practices to improve outcomes.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), and Michigan law (including the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act) identify the responsibilities of public entities to provide access for citizens with disabilities to public programs and services, including courts.
For additional information about ADA compliance in the courts, visit www.courts.mi.gov/ada.
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