Communication Access Coordinator
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits, under certain circumstances, discrimination based on disability. The ADA does not apply to the federal judiciary, but under Judicial Conference policy, we provide reasonable accommodations for communications disabilities which encompasses providing sign language interpreters or other appropriate auxiliary aids to deaf and hearing-impaired participants of federal court proceedings.
Interpreter Services
The Western District of Texas Interpreter Services provide language support locally to the courtโs seven divisions (Austin, Del Rio, El Paso, Midland-Odessa, Pecos, San Antonio and Waco). Interpreters are appointed only in proceedings instituted by the United States. In all other proceedings, it is up to the parties to contract and compensate interpreters. Please request interpreter services through the respective interpreter contacts located here Interpreter Contact Information โ U.S. District Court.
Persons with Communication Disabilities
For all proceedings not instituted by the United States, if you require an accommodation for communication disabilities, which encompasses sign language or other appropriate auxiliary aids to deaf and hearing-impaired participants to include CART (Communications Access Realtime Translation) or American Sign Language interpreter in the courtroom, please complete the Application for CART or Sign Language Interpreter and email it to Access Coordinator. Some circumstances may require a judge to make a determination that such services are appropriate. In order to allow sufficient time for a request to be reviewed, please submit your request at least thirty (30) days prior to your scheduled proceeding.
Jury Service
If you have been called for jury service and believe you might need additional amplification or other accommodations as a juror, please email the jury coordinator for your respective location
Austin: austintx_jury@txwd.uscourts.gov
Del Rio: txwd_jury_delrio@txwd.uscourts.gov
El Paso: txwd_jury_elpaso@txwd.uscourts.gov
Pecos: txwd_jury_pecos@txwd.uscourts.gov
San Antonio: txwd_jury_sa@txwd.uscourts.gov
Waco: txwd_jury_waco@txwd.uscourts.gov
Midland-Odessa: txwd_jury_midland@txwd.uscourts.gov
General: juryhelp@txwd.uscourts.gov
Matters Pending Before the Court
In providing accommodations to a person with a disability, the Communication Access Coordinator may not engage in ex parte communication with a litigant concerning any aspect of a case. If a litigant wishes to assert that a disability has or may have an impact on the merits of a case, the litigant should communicate that information in an appropriate filing with the court.