This article is in the news archives --- for current news go to the Third Branch News.
Eyes On Accessibility
Members of the Courthouse Access Advisory Committee of the U.S. Access
Board were recently invited to tour a courtroom mockup built by the AO
and the General Services Administration. The mockup has the same
dimensions as a standard U.S. district courtroom, which allows the
committee members to try out sightlines, test accessibility, and make
suggestions for changes. Chief Judge Joseph Bataillon (D. Neb.), chair
of the Judicial Conference Committee on Space and Facilities,
accompanied the committee on its tour. "The courts are for everyone,
regardless of any access issue," Bataillon said. "It is important for us
to have courtrooms that the public can use—and I mean all of the
public." The Courthouse Access Advisory Committee includes among its
members legal professionals, architects, disability advocates, and
accessibility experts.