ADA Policy and Procedures

If you have a disability you may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in a court proceeding.

Reasonable accommodations by Superior Court Judge John Wulle allowed Chad Norris and his service dog to participate on a criminal trial jury.

- What is a reasonable accommodation?
- Request accommodation
- Notice of accommodation
- Appeal process
- Forms and documents

Requests for accommodation for people with disabilities must meet all the requirements of General Court Rule 33 (PDF).

What is a reasonable accommodation?

Reasonable accommodations help people with disabilities to more fully and meaningfully participate in court proceedings.

A reasonable accommodation could be, but is not limited to:

• A sign language interpreter.
• Changes to a courtroom’s layout to improve lighting, hearing, or mobility.
• Large print or high contrast documents and forms.
• Extended time for hearings and recesses.
• Assistive listening and seeing devices.

Request accommodation

1. Complete the Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. (PDF) (DOC)
   

   If you have questions or need help completing the form, please contact an ADA Coordinator or call the Clerk’s Office at (360) 397-2292 or (360) 397-2287.
   
   Your request will become public record and can be viewed by the public and other court participants.

2. Submit the completed form to an ADA Coordinator.
   Please submit your request at least 5 days before your court date. Requests received later than that will only be considered and granted if possible.

   Superior Court
   Jeff Amram, ADA Coordinator
   Mail: Clark County Superior Court, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000
   Phone: (360) 397-2150, Relay Service 711 or (800) 833-6388
   FAX: (360) 397-6078
   E-mail: jeff.amram@clark.wa.gov

   District Court and Clerks’ Offices for District Court and Superior Courts
   Tim McVicker, ADA Coordinator
   Mail: Clark County Public Service Center, P.O. Box 5000, 1300 Franklin St., Room 644, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000
   Phone: (360) 397-2025, Relay Service 711 or (800) 833-6388
   FAX: (360) 397-6165
   E-mail: ADA@clark.wa.gov

3. Provide more information if necessary.
   More medical or health information may be requested by the Court to determine the need and type of accommodation. You may be asked by the Court to submit form “Sealed Medical and Health Information (Cover Sheet) WPF All Cases 01.033” (PDF) that shall be sealed automatically by the Court and will not be available to the public.

Notice of accommodation

An ADA coordinator will review your form and notify you of the decision to approve or deny your request by contacting you in the manner you requested and by sending you a written Notice of Accommodation.

The notice will tell you about the type of accommodation that was approved and who to contact to receive the accommodation. If your request for an accommodation was not approved, the notice will tell you why and explain the appeal process to you.

A request for an accommodation will be granted unless:

• It is impossible for the court to provide the requested accommodation on the date of the proceeding; and the proceeding cannot be continued without prejudice to a party to the proceeding.
• It is impractical for the court to provide the requested accommodation on the date of the proceeding; and the proceeding cannot be continued without prejudice to a party to the proceeding.
• It would cause undue burden to the county.
• It would fundamentally alter the court proceeding.
• It would threaten someone’s safety or well-being.

View a sample notice of accommodation (PDF).

For more information on decision requirements and process, view General Court Rule 33 (PDF).

Appeal process

If your request is denied, you may appeal the decision. You can submit your appeal to an ADA Coordinator in writing or verbally, or have someone present it for you in person. Appeals must be received within 5 days after your request was denied.

An ADA coordinator will contact you within 5 days of receipt of your appeal to discuss the decision, and when possible work with you to approve your request or find alternate accommodations.

Forms and documents

Forms
To best suit your needs, forms are provided in two formats – Adobe (PDF) and Microsoft Word (DOC). Both formats allow you download the form and type your information, or print the form and complete it with a pen.

• Request for Reasonable Accommodation (PDF) (DOC)
• Sealed Medical and Health Information Cover Sheet (PDF) (DOC)

Documents

• General Court Rule 33 (PDF)
• ADA Policy and Procedure (printable version) (PDF)
  

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PDF - You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to use this format. If you do not have this software you may download it for free from the Adobe Web site at http://get.adobe.com/reader/?promoid=BUIGO.

DOC - You must have Microsoft Word to use this format.