INFORMATION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES WHO NEED ACCOMMODATIONS TO ACCESS SUPERIOR COURT

If you have a disability and you believe you may need an accommodation to fully and equally participate in a particular court proceeding or activity, you may request a reasonable accommodation.

You may drop off completed forms in person or Email to Whatcom Superior Court at WC_SuperiorCourtADARequests@co.whatcom.wa.us

If you need assistance completing these forms, contact the Superior Court Director at 360-778-5560.

Accommodation requests are granted to any qualified person with a disability for whom such accommodation is reasonable and necessary under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), other similar local, state, and federal laws and Washington State General Rule (GR) 33. A request will be granted unless:

• You have failed to satisfy the substantive requirements of GR 33; or

• The court is unable to provide the requested accommodation on the date of the proceeding and the proceeding cannot be continued without significant prejudice to a party; or

• Permitting you to participate in the proceeding with the requested accommodation would create a direct threat to the health or safety or wellbeing of you or others.

• The requested accommodation would create an undue financial or administrative burden for the court; or would fundamentally alter the nature of the court service, program, or activity.
  • An accommodation may be denied based on a fundamental alteration or undue burden only after considering all resources available for the funding and operation of the service, program, or activity, and must be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that conclusion.
  • If a fundamental alteration or undue burden would result from fulfilling the request, the Court must still ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, you receive the benefits or services provided by the court.

You may be required to provide additional information for the Superior Court to properly evaluate your reasonable accommodation request. Medical and other health information submitted under form WPF All Cases 01.0300, Sealed Medical and Health Information (Cover Sheet) shall be sealed automatically. If medical and other health information is not submitted under form WPF All Cases 01.0300, Sealed Medical and Health Information (Cover Sheet), the submitter may ask the court to seal the documents later.

Generally, five business day advance notice is required to review reasonable accommodation requests. However, a response to an immediate need for accommodation will be considered to the fullest extent possible.