Federal Disability Law and the Federal Judiciary

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is committed to providing equal access to court facilities and services. Although the federal judiciary is not subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the Court’s policy to remove disability-related barriers to court services by providing reasonable accommodations, with advance notice, when appropriate.

Court Access Coordinator

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has designated Justin Murphy as the Court’s Access Coordinator. The Access Coordinator is responsible for providing reasonable accommodation to participants with disabilities, including communications disabilities.

Please direct any questions, concerns, or requests for accommodation to:

Justin Murphy, Court Access Coordinator
James R. Browning Courthouse
95 Seventh Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 355-8000
support@ca9.uscourts.gov

Requesting Disability Accommodation

When you request accommodation, clearly describe:

  • The specific accommodation you need.

  • Enough information about your disability to explain why accommodation is necessary.

Oral Argument Hearings

  • Most Ninth Circuit courtrooms have assistive listening devices, hearing loop systems, and adjustable podiums.

  • All courthouses are accessible to wheelchairs.

If you are presenting oral argument (as an attorney or unrepresented litigant):

  • Submit your accommodation request as a PDF attached to your acknowledgment of hearing notice.

  • If you are an unrepresented litigant not registered for electronic filing, email the court to request an accommodation.

  • In addition to available assistive listening systems, the Court can arrange CART services or an ASL interpreter for hearing‑impaired presenting counsel or unrepresented litigants.

If you are attending but not presenting oral argument:

  • You may email the court to request an accommodation.

    Note: CART services and interpreters are not provided for observers, even if they are parties or co‑counsel.

Assistance in Prosecuting Your Case

If you need accommodation that affects how you litigate your case — for example:

  • More time to file briefs or pleadings,

  • Permission to file documents that don’t meet standard formatting rules,

  • Appointment of counsel or a guardian

Then you must request this accommodation by filing a motion in your pending Ninth Circuit case.

Other Accommodation Needs

For any other accommodation related to:

  • Access to a courthouse, or

  • A pending case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, email the court to request an accommodation.

Please note: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit can only assist with matters pending in this court. We are unable to assist with accommodation requests related to proceedings in the district court, bankruptcy court, BAP, a federal agency or the Supreme Court of the United States.

Last updated October 15, 2026