§ 13-14. Use of auxiliary aids for deaf or hard of hearing., Chapter 13. Municipal Court, Code of the City of Evanston, Wyoming, Code of Ordinances, Evanston

It shall be the policy of the Municipal Court that a party, witness, juror, or qualified spectator, who is deaf or hard of hearing, shall not be denied an equal opportunity to participate in, or benefit from, the services, programs, or activities of the Court because of the participant's disability or because of the need for interpreting services. Upon receiving 48 hours of advance notice, the Court shall provide, at City expense, appropriate auxiliary aids and services when necessary to provide effective communication. In determining what type of auxiliary aid and service is necessary, the Court shall give primary consideration to the requests of the individual with a disability. Auxiliary aids and services shall include, but not be limited to, qualified interpreters, assistive listening devices or real-time transcription services.

The policy and procedure set forth above does not apply when the Court determines that the provision of auxiliary aid or service would create an undue financial or administrative burden or a fundamental alteration in the nature of the service, program, or activity conducted by the Court. If the Court determines that the provision of a particular auxiliary aid or service would create an undue financial or administrative burden or result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of the service, program, or activity conducted by the Court, the Court shall take any other action that would not result in such a burden or such an alteration but would, to the fullest extent possible, enable the individual with a disability to receive the benefits or services provided by the Court.

The Clerk of Court is hereby designated as the Court's contact who will know the sources of auxiliary aids and services (qualified interpreters, assistive listening devices, real-time transcription) and the procedures for acquiring these. The Clerk of Court will also serve as a resource for members of the public, as well as other employees, who have questions regarding the Court's programs and services for individuals with disabilities.

The City shall post a copy of this policy in conspicuous locations, including but not limited to the Court Clerk's office, advising individuals with disabilities of the procedures to make a request for an auxiliary aid or service, and listing the name, address and telephone number of the Court's contact person.

Official notices of court dates, including but not limited to summonses, pretrial and other similar notices, shall provide notice that if a person with a hearing impairment needs an auxiliary aid or service, he or she should call the Court's contact person (name and telephone number provided) through the Wyoming Relay Service. The contact person shall be proficient in the use of the relay system.