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Where am I now? Lawlink > Disability homepage > Disability Access
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Disability Access
The NSW Department of Justice and Attorney General is committed to providing access to our services and programs to people with disabilities. Select a link to find out more about disability access and services to people with disabilities.
General disability access
Our staff understand the importance of providing an individual and 'flexible' service for people with disabilities. If you are person with a disability who requires a reasonable adjustment to access our services, advise our staff how they can best assist you. An example of a reasonable adjustment would be the provision of information in large print for a person with a vision impairment. Further examples for different disabilities follow below.
Client's attending court who require reasonable adjustments to our services are encouraged to advise staff by indicating the adjustment required on our Request for court assistance brochure.
Access for people with a cognitive disability
The department has produced a DVD to provide basic information and tips for people with cognitive disabilities who a required to attend court. The DVD is called "So you have to go to court!" and can be viewed online. If a support person would help you when you attend our offices or the court, please bring them with you. You might be able to obtain a support person through the Criminal Justice Support Network or through local disability advocacy organisations. Access for people who are deaf or have a hearing impairment
People who are deaf and use Auslan or a sign interpreter, can in criminal and apprehended violence cases ask the court to order an interpreter at no cost. Requests for an interpreter should be made as soon as you are aware you will be attending court. For other matters including civil claims you will need to organise an interpreter for yourself. The Deaf Society and the Community Relations Commission can provide Auslan and relay interpreters for a fee.
If you require an Auslan or sign interpreter to access any of the Department's services use the National Relay Service to contact the office or registry you will be attending to discuss your request.Hearing loops
To assist people who have hearing impairments overcome the variations in court room acoustics the Department uses portable infra-red systems. People with hearing impairments attending a court can request the infra red hearing assistive device to assist their hearing within the court room. The infra red hearing assistive device is similar to a hearing loop. The system must be requested in advance for your case. To order the system you will need to:
- Contact the court you are attending and advise them you require the infra red system. Preferably two weeks before your case comes before the court.
- Provide the date of your court case.
- Advise the names of the parties involved in the case (Police versus Smith, or Jones versus Jones)
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The court will then request the system for you. On the day of court make sure you attend at least 30 minutes before court starts to identify yourself to the court officer and to test the system to make sure it works well for you.
Can you hear in the courtroom? is a brochure that will provide further information on requesting this service. Access for people with a mental illness
If attending the court or our offices, people who have a mental illness can ask for reasonable adjustments such as:
- water
- breaks if you are easily fatigued or have difficulties concentrating
- rescheduling your appointment to another day and time when you would be less fatigued.
There may be other reasonable adjustments you require just ask our staff and they will do their best to assist.Access for people with physical disabilities
If you require disability access to any of our buildings or courthouses, please contact the office or the court you will be attending. It is important you discuss with staff why you will be visiting and your specific disability access requirements or potential reasonable adjustments. Some areas of the building or courthouse may not be accessible but staff will do their best to assist you.Disability access - jury service
A number of trial courts provide disability access facilities for jurors. The Department of Justice and Attorney General is working to modify trial courts throughout NSW to provide wheelchair access to trial courts where juries regularly sit .
If you have a disability, and are summoned to attend court as juror, call the Sheriff’s office at the court which you are required to attend to discuss disability access for jurors. Wherever possible the Sheriff will arrange for reasonable adjustments to allow people with disability to fully participate as jurors.Access for people with a vision impairment, print or reading disability
People with vision impairments, print or reading disabilities can ask for information to be provided in an alternative format such as:
- Braille;
- audio tape;
- large print; or
- electronic formats
The information requested in the alternative format may take a number of weeks to be transcribed. Parking
The Department's parking policy provides parking for people with disabilities who require it to access our services.
Some offices do not have any parking. Where the building offers no public parking, you may still be able to arrange disability access parking. To arrange this you need to:
- Have a current RTA issued Mobility Parking Scheme tag
- Contact the centre you are visiting and ask about accessible parking for people with disabilities.
- Ensure you have all details of your attendance with you to provide information to security if required.
- Allow additional time to travel between the parking location and the office or the registry you are attending.
Be aware that you may be parking in a secured zone and a staff member may be required to meet you and guide you into the office or the registry. |
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