What is a self-evaluation and what does it require courts to do?
A self-evaluation is a public entity’s assessment of its current policies and practices. The ADA requires that courts perform a self-assessment of their programs, services, and facilities to determine whether the courts are in compliance with the act. The self-evaluation identifies and corrects those policies and practices that are inconsistent with Title II’s requirements. If the self-assessment identifies areas in which the court is not in compliance with the ADA, the court must formulate a plan to address the problems. All public entities, including courts, should have completed a self-evaluation by January 26, 1993. Structural changes to achieve program accessibility should have been completed by January 26, 1995. A court that has not completed its self-evaluation transition plan should take steps to do so.
