Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Dr. Renée Fleming Mills, ADA Coordinator
Office of the Executive Secretary
100 N. 9th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 786-6455
Fax: (804) 786-0109 
Email: [email protected]

  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted to ensure that all qualified individuals with disabilities enjoy the same opportunities that are available to persons without disabilities. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. Upon request, the Office of the Executive Secretary assists with ADA accommodations for public programs and services of Magistrates, District Court Clerks and Judges, Circuit Court and Appellate Court Judges and Justices, the Clerks of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia. Circuit Court Clerks, as local Constitutional officers, are responsible for ADA accommodations in their offices.

  • ADA Notice provides basic information about the requirements of the ADA as they pertain to Virginia’s Judicial System.

  • ADA Resource Card information sheet addresses common ADA accommodations within the court system to include communication services provided by interpreters for the deaf.

  • The Virginia Judicial System works in coordination with the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired to grant accommodations to court users with visual impairments upon request. This collaboration provides the most effective means for their full participation in all court services.

    The Code of Virginia (§§ 19.2-164.1 and 8.01-384.1) requires courts to procure interpreters for the deaf through the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) in criminal and civil cases, respectively. The Virginia Judicial System seeks to provide maximum benefits to the deaf and hard of hearing in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. The Office of the Executive Secretary has entered into a memorandum of understanding with VDDHH regarding procurement of interpreters.