ADA Policy

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59^TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA - CAMERON AND ELK COUNTIES

Americans with Disabilities Act (Title II) Policy

The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania (UJS) complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which provides that “no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by such entity.” 42 U.S.C.A. §12132. Pursuant to that requirement, if you are an individual with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to participate in any judicial proceeding or any other service, program or activity of the UJS, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. The ADA does not require the 59^th Judicial District to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

If you require an accommodation under the ADA, it is recommended that you make your request as soon as possible or at least three (3) business days before your scheduled participation in any court proceeding or UJS program or activity. All requests for accommodation, regardless of timeliness, will be given due consideration and, if necessary, may require an interactive process between the requester and the 59^th Judicial District to determine the best course of action.

To request a reasonable accommodation, please complete the Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form and return it to the Court ADA Coordinator:

LeeAnn L. Covac, District Court Administrator
59^th Judicial District – Cameron and Elk Counties
Elk County Courthouse
240 Main Street
Ridgway, PA 15853
814 776-6144
814 772-7780 fax
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you need assistance completing the form, contact the ADA Coordinator.

59th Judicial District Reasonable Accomodation Request Form (MS Word)

59th Judicial District Reasonable Accomodation Request Form (PDF)

Americans with Disabilities Act (Title II) Grievance Procedure

This grievance procedure is established for the prompt resolution of complaints alleging any violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the provision of services, programs or activities by the Unified Judicial System (UJS). If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this form, or information in an alternate format, please contact the Court ADA Coordinator:

LeeAnn L. Covac, District Court Administrator
59^th Judicial District – Cameron and Elk Counties
Elk County Courthouse
240 Main Street
Ridgway, PA 15853
814 776-6144
814 772-7780 fax
lcovacThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To file a complaint under the Grievance Procedure, please take the following steps:

Complete the complaint form and return it to:

Alternate means of filings complaints will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request. The complaint should be submitted as soon as possible but no later than sixty (60) days after the alleged violation.

Within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt of the complaint, the ADA Coordinator will investigate the complaint, including meeting with the individual seeking an accommodation, either in person or via telephone or other appropriate means, to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions. Within fifteen (15) calendar days of the meeting, the ADA Coordinator will respond in writing and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio. The response will explain the position of the 59^th Judicial District and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.

If the response to the complaint does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complainant may appeal the decision within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the response to the President Judge of the 59^th Judicial District. Within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the appeal, the President Judge will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. Within fifteen (15) days after the meeting, the President Judge will respond in writing and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint.

This grievance procedure is informal. An individual’s participation in this informal process is completely voluntary. Use of the grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to and does not preclude a complainant from pursuing other remedies available under the law.

The UJS Policy on Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity also encompasses disability-related issues and provides complaint procedures for UJS court users. Any employment-related disability discrimination complaints will be governed by the UJS Policy on Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity.

59th Judicial District Grievance Form (MS Word)

59th Judicial District Grievance Form (PDF)

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