The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits, under certain circumstances, discrimination based on disability. The ADA does not apply to the federal judiciary. However, pursuant to Judicial Conference policy, federal courts provide reasonable accommodations to persons with communications disabilities.
The ADA Access Coordinators are responsible for coordinating sign language interpreters or other appropriate auxiliary aids and services to participants in federal court proceedings who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or have other communications disabilities. The United States District Court for the District of Colorado has designated Nichole Milton as the court's Access Coordinator and Nicholas Richards as the alternate Access Coordinator, pursuant to The Guide to Judiciary Policy, vol. 5, § 255.40 (available at http://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/judiciary-policies/court-interpreting-guidance).
Individuals participating in federal court proceedings who require the assistance of a qualified sign language interpreter or other similar auxiliary aides and services must submit requests for services in advance of the court proceeding involved. Local Rules D.C.COLO. LCivR 83.3 and LCrR 57.5 require that no later than seven days before a hearing or trial, counsel or an unrepresented party shall notify the court of an accommodation required under ADA, except a request for the services of an American Sign Language interpreter shall be made no later than 30 days before the hearing or trial.
Accommodations for the United States Courthouse
Alfred A. Arraj United States Courthouse, 901 19th Street, Denver, CO 80294
Byron Rogers United States Courthouse, 1929 Stout Street, Denver, CO 80294
Access Coordinator: Nichole Milton - Phone number - (303) 335-2072
Alternate Access Coordinator: Nicholas Richards - Phone number - (303) 335-2180
Parking
No public parking is available at any district court facility. This includes handicapped parking spaces. Most parking garages in the area surrounding the courthouse have handicapped parking spaces available to the public.
Building Accommodations
The Arraj and Rogers courthouse main entrances are wheel chair accessible.
All individuals seeking entrance to the facility must present a valid, government issued, ID such as a driver's license or state ID and pass through security screening which in most circumstances includes a metal detector. However individuals with pacemakers or cochlear implants may request screening via a hand held wand upon presenting the Court Security Officers with a letter which identifies the condition from the doctor who performed the implant.
All public restrooms are wheel chair accessible.
There are no public telephones available.
Smoke detectors and fire alarm systems are equipped with strobe lights.
Elevator cabs are equipped with braille signage and emergency call features to accommodate those with seeing and hearing impairment.
Dedicated Mother's Rooms are available for nursing mothers in both the Arraj (located on the 3rd floor) and Rogers (located on the 1st floor) courthouses. Both rooms secure from the inside and provide access to a refrigerator. Courtroom participants may contact the courtroom deputy for access. Others may contact the Clerk's Office for access.
Courtroom Accommodations
The Arraj and Rogers’ courtrooms meet current accessibility standards. Courtrooms are equipped with infrared transmission for those with hearing disabilities. Headsets are available upon request from the courtroom deputy. Anyone anticipating the need to use hearing assisted devices is requested to notify the courtroom deputy within 48 hours prior to the scheduled hearing.
Participants in need of sign language interpreters should contact the courtroom deputy handling the case who will communicate the request to the interpreter services department. Please provide at least 30 days advance notice for these services. Sign language interpreters are not court employees and are arranged based upon their availability. Sign language interpreters are provided to facilitate the deaf or hearing impaired individual's participation in court proceedings only, and are not permitted to accompany the participant at other times.
Clerk’s Office Accommodations
A laptop computer is available at the intake department to assist in communicating with hearing impaired customers at the front counter.