The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits, under certain circumstances, discrimination based on a disability. The ADA does not apply to the federal judiciary. However, pursuant to Judicial Conference policy, federal courts provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with communications disabilities. In accordance with Volume 5, § 255 of the Guide to Judiciary Policy, the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois will provide reasonable accommodations to participants in federal court proceedings who are deaf, hearing impaired or have communications disabilities. These accommodations include sign language interpreters or other auxiliary aids and services. Participants in federal court proceedings include parties in the case, attorneys, witnesses, and jurors who are deemed legally qualified to serve by the Court.

Individuals can request an accommodation by filling out an APPLICATION FOR ACCOMMODATIONS FOR TRIAL PARTICIPANTS WITH COMMUNICATION DISABILITIES, AND LEGALLY QUALIFIED JURORS form found here and emailing it to the court's Access Coordinator, Michael Serratore, at ilnd_courtservices@ilnd.uscourts.gov as soon as possible in advance of the scheduled court proceeding, or upon notification.

The authority for making determinations on such requests, particularly for individuals who are required to participate in the business of the federal courts, generally lies with the presiding judge of the case. Additional accommodations and services may be provided upon the approval of the presiding judge.

A handicap accessible loading zone is available near the Dirksen Courthouse. The zone is located on Plymouth Court, just south of Jackson on the west side of Plymouth Court. Additionally, there are a limited number of handicapped parking places on Plymouth Court, just south of Jackson on the west side of Plymouth Court.