Ensuring effective communication for people with disabilities

Communication is key for accessibility

Effective communication is essential to ensuring equal access to justice for people with disabilities, and it is required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In these two webinars, experts explore inclusive communication practices that empower individuals with cognitive, sensory, and developmental disabilities to fully participate in court processes. 

Both presentations share legal context, personal stories, and practical guidance for court professionals, attorneys, and public-facing staff. 

From recognizing hidden disabilities to implementing supported decision-making and deploying assistive technologies, our sessions underscore obligations under the ADA and offer concrete strategies for removing barriers and building a more inclusive, respectful experience for all court users.

Resources

• Webinar: Ensuring effective communication for people with disabilities
• Webinar: A follow-up conversation to ensuring effective communication for people with disabilities
• Webinar slide deck: Breaking barriers: inclusive communication for people with disabilities in court
• Webinar tip sheet: General communication tips for working with people with disabilities

Foundations of effective & inclusive court communication

The first webinar, "Ensuring effective communication for people with disabilities," introduces essential principles for promoting communication equity in court environments. 

Led by attorney advocates Elizabeth Moran and Megan Rusciano, the session examines the diverse communication needs of people with disabilities and highlights legal obligations for courts to ensure equal access through effective communication.

This webinar walks through the historical obstacles faced by people with disabilities and explains how modern courts can close the gap. It details common challenges for individuals who struggle with comprehension, memory, anxiety, or nontraditional speech, especially when their disabilities are not visibly apparent. 

The webinar also provides practical tips for recognizing communication needs, adapting court procedures, and leveraging auxiliary aids and services such as captioning, plain-language materials, and other assistive technologies.

With emphasis on both personal stories and policy expertise, the webinar showcases the need for a cultural shift within the justice system that focuses on communication access as a core right rather than an optional courtesy. 

Next level communication for your court

This follow-up webinar expands on the concepts of communication access by addressing participant questions and demonstrating practical tools. 

Attorney advocates Elizabeth Moran and Megan Rusciano recap key ideas from the first session and focus attention on supported decision-making and technologies that help augment communication.

Supported decision-making is an alternative to guardianship, enabling those with disabilities to make their own choices with help from trusted supporters. Moran and Rusciano also explore the importance of recognizing nontraditional communication methods and avoiding assumptions about incapacity.

The session also provides information about hidden disabilities and preparing your staff to respectfully offer accommodations. Real-life scenarios and personal examples illustrate how your court can adapt communication methods and build trust.

This follow-up webinar offers clear strategies to support people with disabilities throughout their court journeys and reinforces the tenet that communication access is not just a legal mandate — it's a moral and professional imperative.