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Depending on the needs of the individual and the nature of the disability, accommodation may involve: providing forms and instructions in Braille, large print or on audio tape; providing assistance at the counter in filling out necessary paperwork; having written materials read out loud in the courtroom; allowing the person to sit closer than usual if of limited vision, or to provide additional lighting if the lighting is a problem. People who are blind or visually disabled often can be assisted by increasing the size of an object, by changing viewing distance, by improving illumination, and by improving contrast. Changing size and distance go hand in hand. Size can be changed in several different ways: an object can be made larger (such as a big-button telephone), materials can be reproduced larger (such as large print), a nearby object can be enlarged (using a magnifier), or a far-away object can be enlarged (using a telescope). Devices can be set into glass frames, some of which are bioptic.

The most critical consideration for a low-vision individual is lighting. The midday offers the best light. Halogen bulbs and lamps that place direct light on a subject are highly recommended. When considering which bulbs to use, incandescent bulbs with a high wattage are preferred over florescent. Florescent bulbs throw off a glaring blue light. If the person with a visual disability is referring to notes, additional light (such as a gooseneck lamp) may be necessary.

Contrast in written materials also can be important. The more the words crowded onto a page and the more similar the ink and paper colors, the less one can discriminate. Using 14-point or larger black type on yellow paper will greatly increase the readability of materials.

Depending on the needs of the individual and the nature of the disability, accommodation may include: having the clerk mail out forms to a person limited in his or her ability to visit the courthouse; holding a proceeding in a more accessible location; allowing the testimony of a witness to be videotaped; or the use of video conferencing technology in lieu of a personal appearance.

Developmental disability is an umbrella term referring to disabilities present before an individual reaches 22 years of age. Examples of developmental disabilities are cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, hearing loss, Down syndrome, mental retardation, spinal injury or brain injury. Cognitive disabilities refer to any disability affecting mental processes. Examples include mental retardation, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, Alzheimer's disease, aphasia, brain injury, language delay, and learning disabilities. Remember that many individuals with developmental and cognitive disabilities may not have limited intellectual functioning. Those that do may require accommodation. Depending on the needs of the individual and the nature of the disability, accommodation may include: having the court and witnesses talk slowly or write things down; when necessary, repeating information using different wording or a different communication approach, allowing time for information to be fully understood; presenting information in a clear, concise, concrete and simple manner; when necessary, taking periodic breaks; presenting tasks in a step-by-step manner, letting the individual perform each step after explanation; scheduling court proceedings at a different time to meet the medical needs of the individual; providing a coach or support person at the proceeding; or allowing videotaped testimony or the use of video conferencing technology in lieu of a personal appearance.

A person with a psychiatric disability is someone with a mental illness which significantly interferes with that person’s performance of major life activities, such as learning, thinking, communicating, and sleeping, among others. The most common forms of mental illnesses resulting in psychiatric disabilities are anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and schizophrenia. Anxiety disorders are the most common group of mental illnesses and include panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder characterized by severe fear or anxiety associated with   particular objects and situations. Depressive Disorders would include major depression, manic-depressive illness and seasonal affective disorder characterized by disturbances or changes in moods. Schizophrenia is a highly complex illness characterized by thoughts that seem fragmented and difficulty processing information.

Depending on the needs of the individual and the nature of the disability, accommodation may include: scheduling court proceedings at certain time to coincide with medication requirements or effects; presenting information in a different manner to be better processed by the individual such as providing instructions in a written or recorded format; changing procedures as they relate to the interaction with witnesses and court staff in the courtroom; eliminating distractions; speaking slowly and distinctly; or allowing videotaped testimony or the use of video conferencing technology in lieu of a personal appearance.

The administrative authority, with assistance from local ADA coordinator, Jury Commissioner and State Court Administrator’s Office Human Resources or Legal Divisions, decides what reasonable accommodation can be made. Primary consideration is given to the request of the individual with the disability, however, an alternative accommodation may be offered if equally effective. The court is not required to make modifications that would fundamentally alter the service or program or cause undue administrative or financial burden. When evaluating a request, resources available are to be considered at the local level as well as at the Judicial Department level. With respect to court facilities, the court is not required to make every existing facility accessible so long as there is accessibility to the particular service or program. For example, the court does not have to make every courtroom accessible if the particular proceeding can be held in an accessible room.

Auxiliary aids and services necessary for effective communication or to enable participation in services, other than devices of a personal nature, are to be provided at no cost to the person with the disability. The court or probation department is responsible for providing and paying the incurred costs, with the exception of the appointment of an interpreter for a deaf or hard of hearing person provided by the Department of Human Services pursuant to section 13-90-204(1), C.R.S.

Each judicial district has a local ADA Coordinator or Jury Commissioner who is responsible for arranging reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. You can access the link ADA Coordinators  or Jury Commissioners for a listing for each judicial district. Accommodation requests should be submitted to the local ADA Coordinator or Jury Commissioner by accessing the ADA Online Request form.

The request should identify the particular court program or service for which accommodation is sought, the date, time and location where the accommodation is needed, a description of the disability and the type of accommodation being requested. All requests for an accommodation will be held confidential.

Reasonable notice must be given to consider an accommodation request without causing undue disruption to the court proceeding. If the request relates to a jury summons, the individual should contact the Jury Commissioner as far in advance as possible by contacting the person indicated on the summons or listed on the Judicial Department’s website at Jury Commissioners.

If the request concerns a particular court proceeding, the request should be made a minimum of five days in advance, if practicable, to allow for consideration of the request and to arrange for reasonable accommodation.