A Meaningful Opportunity to Participate
A Handbook for Georgia Court Officials on Courtroom Accessibility
for Individuals with Disabilities
A Handbook for Georgia Court Officials on Courtroom Accessibility
for Individuals with Disabilities
PART II:
Interacting With Persons With Disabilities
Page 3 of 3
Interacting With People Who Have Mobility Limitations
A mobility impairment involves the partial or complete loss of use of any of an individual's limbs. Mobility impairment refers to a broad range of disabilities which include orthopedic, neuromuscular, cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders. Many things can cause mobility impairment including disease (polio), spinal cord trauma (a motor vehicle accident) and disorders occurring at or before birth (cerebral palsy).
Many disabilities which cause mobility impairment are visible because individuals may rely upon assistive devices such as wheelchairs, scooters, crutches and canes. Other disabilities that cause mobility impairments, such as arthritis, are invisible but need to be taken equally seriously.
When interacting with people who have mobility limitations, consider the following tips:
Avoid touching or leaning on a person's wheelchair, scooter or walking aid without permission. People with disabilities consider their mobility devices as part of their personal space.
Be aware of an individual's reach limits. Place as many items as possible within the grasp of a wheelchair user. If a service counter is too high for a wheelchair user to see over, step around it to provide service. Also, have a clipboard available if filling in forms or providing signatures is expected.
Sit down and/or position yourself at the same eye contact level when speaking with a wheelchair user for more than a few moments.
Provide a chair for someone who has difficulty standing for an extended time.
People who are not visibly mobility-impaired may, have medical needs that impact their ability to get around the court house. For example, a person with a heart condition may have trouble walking quickly or long distances and may need chairs or benches to sit and rest on.
Interacting With People Who Have Cognitive Disabilities
The wide variance among the mental capabilities of those with cognitive disabilities (any disability affecting mental processes) complicates matters in the court house because a person with mental retardation will not have the same needs as a person who has attention deficit disorder or autism. A person with profound cognitive disabilities will need assistance with nearly every aspect of daily living. Someone with a minor learning disorder, however, may be able to function adequately despite the disorder, perhaps even to the extent that the disorder is never discovered or diagnosed. It is important, however, not to approach an individual with any preconceived notions as to his or her specific capabilities. Not everyone who is slow speaking is cognitively impaired.
Many legal or courtroom-related terms and concepts are complex and may be difficult to understand. People with some form of cognitive disability, however, may be reluctant to disclose their disability or to disclose that they do not understand the information being presented. If you suspect that someone may be struggling to understand, ask, "This is very complicated. May I explain this in a different way that may make it easier to understand?" The use of simple, easily understood language will benefit all participants -- not only people with disabilities.
When interacting with people who have cognitive disabilities, consider the following tips:
Speak clearly and slowly and keep sentences short.
Break complicated information or instructions down into shorter, distinct parts and avoid complex terms.
If possible, use symbols, pictures or actions to help convey meaning.
Ask concrete, open-ended questions. Avoid "yes-no" answers.
Allow for additional time to speak with participants and for them to respond.
When necessary, repeat information using different wording or a different communication approach. Allow time for the information to be fully understood.
Provide material on audiotape rather than in written form.
In addition to people who are blind and may use guide dogs, other people with disabilities may use animals to assist them. For example, some individuals with limited manual dexterity may have a service animal retrieve or pick up objects for them.
When interacting with people who use service animals, consider the following tips:
Avoid petting or touching a service animal while the animal is working.
Do not feed a service animal or distract a service animal in any way.
Do not separate an individual with a disability from his or her service animal.
If the service animal misbehaves, or becomes out of the control of the person with the disability, that person is obligated to control the animal.
The U.S. Department of Justice authored a brochure about service animals that may be helpful in answering questions regarding service animals in Georgia courts. It is available online at: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/animal.htm.
© Georgia Commission on Access and Fairness in the Courts, December 2004
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