The doors to the courthouse should be open to all people and it is our responsibility to ensure that everyone has equal access to gain physical entry through the courthouse doors. Persons with disabilities or the elderly may find it difficult to access the courtroom and participate in their case. These access issues may exist not only for parties, witnesses and jurors with disabilities but also may exist for the attorney with disabilities. Everyone should have an opportunity to have their day in court and this program addresses how you can make the litigation process more accessible to the elderly and for persons with disabilities.

To address the many issues relating to access to the courts for persons with disabilities or the elderly, we are inviting you to join us for an important one day CLE program on the campus of Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida on December 5, 2008, entitled Providing Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly with Equal Access to Justice.

This top-notch program will explore the facets of accessibility for your clients, your witnesses and for yourself. Let's face it, we are not getting younger and someday we may have to admit to being an elderly attorney with certain physical limitations. We may even be considering retirement in Florida. Therefore, the program planning committee has brought together leaders in the field along with people who have made real changes for people with disabilities and the elderly so that you can learn firsthand the issues of, and solutions to, providing access to the courts. Topics covered are courtroom design, use of service animals, jury selection, and access for jurors, parties, attorneys and judges. The program itself will be held in the William R. Eleazer Courtroom at Stetson University College of Law, which is a model courtroom showcasing how design and technology can address accessibility issues. The keynote speaker will be Justice Fred Lewis of the Florida Supreme Court sponsored by the law firm Carlton Fields. Also, join us for a reception sponsored by the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration.

Also taking advantage of the location, we were able to obtain a very favorable hotel rate at the beautiful Loews Don CeSar Beach Resort located on St. Pete Beach. We hope that you will join us for this important program and learn practical ways to accommodate persons with disabilities for your next case.

Don't Delay - Hotel Deadline: Monday, November 14, 2008
Advance Registration Deadline: Friday, November 14, 2008

CLE

PROVIDING A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION TO THE COURTHOUSE AND IN THE COURTROOM
This panel will share their experience and practical advice on accommodation issues such as; who qualifies for a reasonable accommodation (parties, witnesses or lawyers); what is a reasonable accommodation; who pays for it; and how can technology and other practical solutions assist in providing the accommodation?

SELECTING A JURY
The panel will address issues that arise in selecting a jury; when the plaintiff or defendant has a disability; when counsel has a disability; when the juror has a disability; and when a witness has a disability.

SERVICE AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS AS A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
Can and should service and emotional support animals be permitted in the courtroom? This panel will discuss: making a credible presentation about the need for a reasonable accommodation through the assistance of a service animal or an emotional support animal including the use of docu-dramas; what factors should be considered in determining whether an emotional support animal is needed, including concerns that the presence of an animal in the courtroom will evoke sympathy or a party is fearful of the animal; the use of service dogs in courtrooms as partners to aid elderly witnesses or traumatized juvenile witnesses in their testimony; and what are reasonable accommodations for the service animal in the courtroom?

PROMOTING BETTER COURTHOUSE AND COURTROOM ACCESS
What physical and architectural barriers need to be considered for the elderly and persons with disabilities in the design of Courthouses and Courtrooms. This includes: interior accessibility such as ramps, adjustable podiums, accessibility to bathrooms, elevators, and jury rooms through narrow halls, entrances, and weight and pressure of doors; exterior accessibility including adequacy of parking spaces, presence of stairs and curbs and rough pavements; and acoustics/background noise, sound amplification and lighting.

THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE COURTROOM ACCESS: DEMONSTRATION OF THE WILLIAM R. ELEAZER COURTROOM
A demonstration of the William R. Eleazer Courtroom at Stetson University College of Law which showcases touch screens; automatic electronic gates; hearing amplification devices; flat-panel monitors; adjustable podiums; multi-lingual software speech synthesizer and translator and other features specially designed for people with reduced vision, limited hearing or other physical disabilities.

ISSUES RELATED TO ACCESS TO JUSTICE OUTSIDE OF THE COURTROOM
An interactive session discussing a potpourri of ethics and professional issues including changing the attitudinal barriers through enhancing the knowledge of those encountered by the persons with disabilities or the elderly; training programs for disability awareness and the applicable laws including the ADA; accessible information technology training for judges, court staff, employers, new lawyers, lawyers with disabilities and office management staff; dissemination of educational materials electronically and in print, and providing such information in alternative formats (e.g. large print, Braille, or tape/CD).
 

Registration

You can Register online <http://meetings.abanet.org/aba_timssnet/Meetings/tnt_meetings.cfm?action=long&primary_id=ILEAJ08&webtextid=38548&Subsystem=MTG&related_prod_flag=0> or download the registration form in the brochure <http://www.abanet.org/tips/market/eaj08.pdf> and mail, or fax to 312.988.6230 by November 14, 2008. All registration reservations must be accompanied by credit card, check, money order, or purchase order. The registration fee includes admission to the program, course materials, continental breakfast, breaks, and reception.

Registration Fees Per Person: On or Before
11/14
After
11/14

General Attendee $250
$275

Register Online <http://meetings.abanet.org/aba_timssnet/Meetings/tnt_meetings.cfm?action=long&primary_id=ILEAJ08&webtextid=38548&Subsystem=MTG&related_prod_flag=0>

Hotel Information

For reservations call (727) 360-1881 and mention TIPS Equal Access To Justice Program.
A limited number of rooms have been blocked for program registrants of the TIPS 2008 Equal Access to Justice Program at the Loews Don CeSar Beach Resort & Spa, 3400 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 for a hotel room rate of $149 single plus 12% tax. For reservations, please call the hotel directly at 727/360-1881. The room block will be held until exhausted or until Friday, November 14, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. (CST). After the meeting specified hotel deadline, reservations will be confirmed based on availability.