Each courthouse in Ontario has an accessibility coordinator who can help identify what accommodations are available when people visit the court in-person or online

When requesting accommodation, the following information is useful

• court address; court file number
• person's role such as plaintiff or witness
• date and time of court proceedings; deadlines for filing documents
• type of proceeding such as motion hearing or trial
• type of disability accommodation needed and how it relates to the disability

If someone does not know what accommodation is needed, they can ask the accessibility coordinator for types of accommodations

Sometimes permission for some types of accommodations will be needed from a judicial official - the coordinator will let the person know

Types of Accommodations

Types of accommodations could include:

• more frequent breaks

• accessible or alternative document formats of ministry document, such as accessible electronic formats, large print, audio and braille

• some services may be available by phone or email in order to meet a disability-related need

• assistive listening devices

• captioning, known as Communication-Access Realtime Translation (CART)

• American Sign Language (ASL) or langue des signes québécoise (LSQ)

• a temporary wheelchair; rooms that accommodate a wheelchair

Communication intermediaries may be used to support individuals with communication disabilities, such as those caused by Cerebral Palsy, learning or intellectual disability, stroke or brain injury

Sign Language Interpreters

American Sign Language (ASL) and langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) interpreters are available for ministry services and all types of court proceedings

Request an ASL or LSQ interpreter by contacting the courthouse and communicating with the interpreter coordinator or the accessibility coordinator

Personal Assistive Devices, Service Animals and Support Persons

Subject to any necessary judicial approvals, while in the courthouse people may use:

• their own personal assistive devices or assistive technology
• their service animal in all parts of building that are open to the public
• their disability-related support person

Accessibility Feedback

Submit feedback about accessibility in Ontario courts; include "accessibility feedback" in the subject line or letter; feedback can be given:

• in person, by phone or mail where the service was received
• by filling out the customer comment form at courthouses
• by phone, mail or online to the Ministry of the Attorney General
• Bell Relay

If feedback is about a specific incident, give:

• date of incident
• what happened and what made the experience good or bad
• suggestions for improvement

Complaints

If a complaint is about a disability-related accommodation that someone requires to use Ministry services, it will be addressed as soon as possible

All comments, feedback or complaints received in writing by email, fax or mail will be answered or acknowledged within 15 business days and include an outline of what the Ministry plans to do

Courtroom hours vary

No restrictions

Contact local accessibility coordinator by telephone, email, mail, TTY or Video Relay Service; contact information can be found on Ontario Court Finder