Defending Access: A Toolkit for Public Defenders and Other Attorneys Representing Clients with Disabilities & Deaf Clients

This four-piece toolkit provides a step-by-step process for public defense, legal aid, and other attorneys to secure accommodations and provide modifications for their clients who have disabilities and those who are Deaf.

What’s Inside

The first page of the tip sheet Enhancing Criminal Legal Reform Initiatives Through Partnerships with Disability and Deaf Organizations.

Tipsheet 2
How to Ask Clients about their Accommodations and Language Access Needs

This tipsheet starts with an overview of why it is essential that attorneys ask every client about their access needs and outlines a three-step process for securing accommodations in court settings.

Tipsheet 1
What to Know Before Getting Started

This tipsheet provides foundational information on disability and Deaf communities, as well as steps attorneys should take prior to establishing a practice of asking clients about their accommodation needs.

The first page of the tip sheet Common Types of Disability and Deaf Organizations.
The first page of the tip sheet Making Written Materials Accessible.

Quick Reference Guide

For ease of reference, this tipsheet offers a summary of Tipsheet 2 and Tipsheet 3.  

Tipsheet 3
Sample Modifications for Supporting Access and Communication

This resource provides examples of modifications that attorneys can offer at different points of the criminal legal process to improve communication and outcomes for clients with disabilities. Not an exhaustive list, these examples can be adapted depending on your office’s resources and your clients’ needs.

The first page of the tip sheet Making Meetings and Events Accessible to People with Disabilities and Deaf People.