Howard Rubin, DePaul University College of Law Legal Clinic director, has begun a series of training seminars for courthouse personnel to make sure they are aware of requirements of Title II/The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1992.

It is estimated that 43 million Americans have one or more physical or mental disabilities. The ADA stipulates that those Americans must have equal access to the courthouses, many built with Greek porticos and columns and a series of steps which make access difficult if not impossible.

Rubin led the first two-day training session in April at the Sixth Municipal District of the Cook County Circuit Court in Markham, Ill., with the support of Chief Judge Donald P. O’Connell and Markham’s Presiding Judge Sheila M. Murphy.

"Today more persons with disabilities are using the judicial system than ever before. In creating the ADA, Congress envisioned a society that is more inclusive, diverse and accommodating," said in a memo to department heads in the Sixth Municipal District. "The courthouse is a symbol of justice and equality and as such it must meet the needs of persons with disabilities."

Rubin said that overall conditions at Markham were favorable for people with disabilities, but recommended that a few changes needed to be made.

"Everyone--jurors, witnesses--need to be treated equally, and everything must be available to them," said Rubin, and that takes awareness of all courthouse personnel to make that possible.

Not only must the courthouse be accessible for litigants, jurors, victims, witnesses, attorneys and anyone else who might have physical, sensory, communications or cognitive impairments, but the ADA mandates that everyone should have access to each courtroom program, such as public information, pretrial services, jury service, courtroom hearings and trials, and access throughout the courthouse.

"These seminars are to help personnel know how to help people have access if they have mental or physical disabilities," said Rubin, "and to heighten awareness of what ADA requires."

For more information call Rubin at 312/362-8298.