Pursuant to the policy of the Judicial Conference, adopted in September 1995, the United States District Court for the District of Kansas has adopted the following procedures to be followed when providing services to persons with communications disabilities. These procedures are intended to comply with Volume I, Administrative Manual, Chapter III, General Management and Administration of the Guide to Judiciary Policies and Procedures, Part H. Guidelines for Providing Services to the Hearing-Impaired and Other Persons with Communications Disabilities.

“Each federal court is required to provide, at judiciary expense, sign language interpreters or other appropriate auxiliary aids and services to participants in federal court proceedings who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or have other communications disabilities.”

Participants in court proceedings include parties, attorneys, and witnesses. Court proceedings include trials, hearings, ceremonies and other public programs or activities conducted by a court.

The court will also provide a sign language interpreter or other appropriate auxiliary aid or service to a qualified juror with a communication disability.

Access Coordinators

The following individuals have been designated as access coordinators for their respective divisional offices:

The name of each access coordinator, his/her office location, and phone number will be posted in the intake area of each respective divisional office. Access coordinators will have working knowledge of the types of auxiliary aids and services available to serve the needs of disabled persons and of the local sources from which auxiliary aids and services (including real time reporting) may be procured.

Auxiliary Aids and Services

The U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas currently has infrared systems at each location for use by persons with communications disabilities.  In Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita, we have an IR/ Assisted Listening fixed system in each magistrate and Title III courtroom. We also have fixed systems in the Special Proceeding, Ceremonial, and other "special" courtrooms. Each system has 4 headsets. We also have a portable system per city that comes with 10 headsets. We can use these headsets interchangeably and can add or subtract them to/ from courtrooms as needed. We have 10 headsets with the portable systems.

Requests for the use of auxiliary aids must be made directly to the access coordinator as far in advance as possible of the court proceeding involved. At least a 24-hour notice is preferred. When such auxiliary aids or services are requested, access coordinators should relay the request directly to the courtroom deputy clerk assigned to the court proceeding involved. The courtroom deputy clerk will then proceed to make all logistical arrangements to procure the auxiliary aids or services requested.