In July 2026, the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts (AOIC) Access to Justice Division and the Illinois Office of the Attorney General Disability Rights Bureau presented the annual Illinois Court Disability Coordinator statewide training, as required by the Illinois Supreme Court Policy on Access for People with Disabilities (Policy) and in celebration of July’s Disability Pride Month.
This year’s four-hour in-person training was delivered across three regional sites to over 100 Court Disability Coordinators (CDCs), including the Williamson County Courthouse, the Springfield offices of the AOIC, and the DuPage County Courthouse. CDCs from across Illinois gathered to strengthen their expertise and gain empowerment to promote disability access in their courthouses.
The training provided a comprehensive overview of the CDC role, including legal obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Illinois Human Rights Act, and the Policy. Participants engaged in interactive sessions focusing on:
- Proactively identifying, addressing, and removing barriers to accessibility in courthouses;
- Responding to reasonable modification requests with a confidential, person-centered, context-specific approach;
- Ensuring effective communication, especially by working with sign language interpreters and providing other auxiliary aids and services;
- Managing grievances and appeals in compliance with state and federal policies; and
- Collaborating with judges, court administration, and other justice system partners to deliver consistent access for all, including people with disabilities.
The program highlighted emerging topics, including digital accessibility, emergency preparedness, and information about service animals. Staff also disseminated newly available statewide resources to support CDCs in their roles, including resources related to mental health, and access for deaf and hard of hearing people at court.
In conducting and organizing the annual training, the AOIC Access to Justice Division and the Attorney General’s Disability Rights Bureau reaffirmed their commitment to supporting CDCs as critical front-line leaders who lead Illinois courts in being open, inclusive, and accessible to all members of the public, particularly for people with disabilities.
For more information about disability access and other access to justice initiatives in Illinois courts, visit Access for People with Disabilities.