Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act does not apply to the federal judiciary. However, pursuant to United States Judicial Conference policy, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals provides reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities, including communications disabilities.
All Court of Appeals courtrooms are equipped with infrared transmitters for those with hearing disabilities. Headsets can be obtained from the courtroom deputy. All podiums are wheelchair accessible.
Upon request, the Court will prepare its orders and opinions in enlarged type to accommodate the visually impaired. The Court can also enter orders requiring parties to prepare documents in enlarged type.
The Court can, upon prior notice, arrange for American Sign Language interpreters and Real Time Transcription services for oral arguments. If you or your client need such services during oral argument, please contact the clerk’s office at least ten days in advance of the scheduled oral argument date to make the necessary arrangements. Please note the court does not provide written transcripts of oral arguments.
For Accommodations for Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals hearings at the Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse in St. Louis, the Roman Hruska Courthouse in Omaha and the Charles Evans Whittaker Courthouse in Kansas City, Missouri:
Contact the Chief Deputy, Stephanie N. O'Banion, by phone at 314-244-2400 to discuss your needs. The Alternate Access Coordinator is Ms. Melissa Rudolph at 314-244-2400.
For Accommodations for Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals hearings at the Warren E. Burger Courthouse in St. Paul, Minnesota:
Contact Ms. Maureen Watz Gornik, Acting Clerk of Court, at 651-848-1300.
Building Accommodations
The courthouses at all locations are wheel chair accessible. All restrooms are wheel chair accessible.
All individuals seeking entrance to the courthouses must present a valid, government-issued ID and pass through security, including a metal detector. Individuals with pacemakers or cochlear implants may request wand screening.
Elevators are equipped with braille signage and orally announce floors. The elevator cabs are equipped with emergency call features to accommodate those with seeing and hearing impairments. Braille signage is also in place throughout the court’s floors and at the courtroom entrances.
Smoke detectors are equipped with strobe lights.
Parking
The court does not provide public parking at any of its courthouse locations. Street parking and parking garages surrounding the courthouses have handicapped spaces available to the public.