Court Grievance Procedure under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

This American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Grievance Procedure for the Trial Court is established to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints by members of the public alleging violations of the ADA or any similar Massachusetts laws such as the Massachusetts Equal Rights Act (MERA), G.L. c. 93, § 103, or the Massachusetts Public Accommodations law, G.L. c. 272, §§ 92A & 98. It may be used by any member of the public claiming discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, programs, or benefits of the Trial Court, including alleging denial of reasonable accommodations.

Complaints by members of the public alleging discrimination on the basis of disability should be filed within 30 days of the alleged discrimination. Complaints are not required to be in writing but may be submitted on the Complaint Form, which is available at each of the Trial Court’s Clerk's Offices, online at Courts Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) forms, instructions, and information, or by requesting it from [e-mail]. 

Complaints should be sent to the Office of Workplace Rights & Compliance (OWRC) ADA Coordinator. Upon receiving the complaint, the OWRC ADA Coordinator shall coordinate with the appropriate Trial Court staff to promptly investigate the complaint by interviewing appropriate court staff and the complainant to determine whether it can be resolved. Within 30 days of receiving the complaint, the OWRC ADA Coordinator or their designee will respond in writing to the complainant, explaining the position of the Trial Court and offering options, if any, for resolution of the complaint.

If the response by the OWRC ADA Coordinator or their designee does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complainant and/or the complainant's designee may appeal the decision within 15 calendar days after receipt of the response to the Court Administrator, or their designee. Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the Court Administrator, or their designee, may contact the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions, if any. Within 15 calendar days after such contact, the Court Administrator, or their designee, will respond in writing and in an accessible format, where appropriate, stating the Trial Court's position and offering options, if any, for resolution of the complaint.

Neither the Court Administrator nor the OWRC ADA Coordinator can override a judicial ruling or court order issued by a judge or clerk magistrate. 

The decision of the Court Administrator, or their designee, shall be final for purposes of this Grievance Procedure.

The OWRC ADA Coordinator shall maintain all records related to an ADA complaint for three years. The Trial Court have designated as their ADA Coordinator:

Cathlin Corbitt
Office of Workplace Rights and Compliance 
Two Center Plaza 
Boston, MA 02108
[phone]
[e-mail]

For Appeals Only:

Thomas Ambrosino, Court Administrator
Massachusetts Trial Court
1 Pemberton Square
Boston, MA 02108
[e-mail]