For People With Disability

Services for People with Disability

The ACT Courts and Tribunal is required to ensure that persons are not disadvantaged when accessing the courts or tribunal because of their disability. Some people may also require additional support because of their vulnerability.

Download the Do you need assistance whilst attending the ACT Courts and Tribunal script [PDF 134KB].

The ACT Courts and Tribunal works with court and tribunal users who have disabilities to make reasonable adjustments to ensure its services are accessible to all members of the community.  If you would like to request reasonable adjustment please telephone or email our Courts and Tribunal Assistance Officer explaining your needs on (02) 6205 0322 or email CourtAssistance@courts.act.gov.au.

Pre-hearing tours for people with a disability or vulnerability

Clients requiring additional assistance or adjustments are welcome to arrange a tour before their hearing date.  Please telephone our Courts and Tribunal Assistance Officer on (02) 6205 0322 or email CourtAssistance@courts.act.gov.au to arrange a tour.

Hearing and speech impaired clients

Telephone enquiries

The National Relay Service (NRS) is a free telephone service that allows deaf or hearing and/or speech impaired clients with a TTY machine, to make telephone calls to our registry.

Clients who are deaf or hearing impaired should telephone the NRS.

  • Telephone: 133 677 (clients who are deaf or hearing impaired)
  • 1300 555 727 (clients who are both deaf/hearing impaired and speech impaired)
  • National Relay Service Website

Interpreters

Arrangements can be made for AUSLAN interpreters or CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation) service providers to accompany clients who are deaf, hearing impaired and/or speech impaired at court hearings or events.

Hearing Assistance

Hearing rooms and courtrooms have an infrared hearing system installed, and the enquiry counters have a portable hearing loop at all counters. Court staff will provide clients with a receiver that has a neck loop and headphones to use our system. Clients can collect the hearing equipment when in the hearing rooms and courtrooms by asking a staff member, or arrangements can be made before attending court by telephone (02) 6205 0322 or emailing CourtAssistance@courts.act.gov.au.

Visually Impaired Clients

Copies of transcripts can be provided so they can be viewed with screen reader software and audio versions of transcripts can be ordered which might assist persons with visual impairment.

Our court and tribunal websites are designed to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG). Maintaining an accessible website is an ongoing process and we are continually working to offer a user-friendly experience. If you have any problems using our websites please contact us using the feedback link.

Assistance Animals

If you have an assistance animal you will be bringing to court you can contact the Courts and Tribunal Assistance Officer on (02) 6205 0322 or email CourtAssistance@courts.act.gov.au to discuss how the court might assist you and your assistance animal.  An assistance animal should have relevant papers and/or identification indicating that it is an assistance animal and the disability that it is being, or has been trained, to assist. Assistance animals are subject to manual security screening.

Disability Parking

There are a number of disability car parks located as you enter Knowles Place and in the carparks adjacent to the ACT Courts buildings.

Security Screening

All persons entering the ACT Courts buildings are subject to security screening.  A copy of the security screening and conditions of entry policy is available here .

Screening may be modified to cater for people with a disability. For example, people entering the court building in wheelchairs or other mobility devices who are unable to proceed through the screening machine on foot will be subject to manual screening and inspection using a hand held wand.

Security screening is also undertaken at the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

ACT Intermediary Scheme

An intermediary scheme is available in the ACT and may be made available to assist vulnerable witnesses to communicate their evidence to the Court.  Information about the intermediatory scheme is available on the ACT Human Rights webpage at https://hrc.act.gov.au/act-intermediary-program/.

BindiMaps

For directions once you are inside the Courts building, BindiMaps can help.

Download the BindiMaps free indoor navigation app, then choose maps, voice or text to guide you around the Courts building quickly and easily.

BindiMaps can find the most accessible route to your destination and will advise you of any potential hazards along the way.

You do not need to register for a BindiMaps account and it does not ask for your personal details. BindiMaps does not collect any personal information that could identify you.

You can choose to share your BindiMaps with another person in a calendar invitation or through a message. When the recipient clicks on the link they will be guided straight to that location

Image-contains-screenshot-of-the-BindiMaps-app,-with-the-text;-Find-your-way-using-Audio-prompts.;-and-or-guide-yourself-using-Map-View.;-and-Turn-on-'wheelchair'-mode-for-accessible-routes.

Download BindiMaps On Google Play

Download BindiMaps on App Store

Disability Action and Inclusion Plan

The Disability Justice Strategy 2019–2029 provides justice agencies with a framework, highlighting where we can consider making improvements to deliver inclusive services and practices.

Under the Disability Justice Strategy, justice agencies are required to develop Disability Action and Inclusion Plans (DAIP). The ACT Courts and Tribunal’s initial DAIP was developed in mid-2021. Updates against the action items are included in the plan as at December 2022.

On 7 October 2022, the ACT Courts and Tribunal held a workshop with a range of community and justice stakeholders to build on what we achieved and to assist the ACTCT develop a new DAIP in 2023.   The ACTCT heard what we are doing well, where we need to improve and how we can collaborate to improve the experience of people accessing the Courts and Tribunal.

For further information about our DAIP, please contact our Disability Liaison Officer at disability@courts.act.gov.au