What the ADA requires from disability lawyers
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires lawyers and law firms to provide reasonable accommodations to clients and staff with disabilities. This means a lawyer cannot turn you away because of your disability, cannot charge you extra for accommodations, and must make changes to how they work so you can participate fully in your case.
Reasonable accommodations are adjustments that remove barriers created by disability. For someone who is Deaf, that might mean a sign language interpreter at meetings. For someone with mobility limitations, it might mean meeting in an accessible building or conducting meetings by video. For someone with a cognitive disability, it might mean written summaries of what was discussed, or more time to review documents.
The law firm does not get to decide whether an accommodation is "too much trouble" or too expensive. They have to provide it unless doing so would fundamentally change what they do or create an undue financial hardship for the firm—a high bar that rarely applies to individual accommodations.
Key Takeaways
- A lawyer must provide accommodations at no extra cost to you, whether you are the client or a witness in a case.
- You can request accommodations before you hire a lawyer, and their response tells you whether they will work with you respectfully.
- Common accommodations include interpreters, accessible meeting spaces, written materials in large print or digital format, and extra time to review documents.
- If a lawyer refuses a reasonable accommodation or charges you for one, that is likely an ADA violation you can report to your state bar or the Department of Justice.
What counts as a reasonable accommodation
Reasonable accommodations are specific to your disability and what you need to participate. A lawyer should ask you what barriers you face and what would help, rather than guessing or offering only what they think is standard.
Examples include: a sign language interpreter or CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) captioning for Deaf or hard-of-hearing clients; accessible parking and ground-floor meeting spaces for people with mobility disabilities; documents in large print, Braille, or digital format for people who are blind or have low vision; written agendas and summaries for people with cognitive disabilities or ADHD; phone or video meetings instead of in-person for people with chronic illness or mobility barriers; extra time to review contracts or court filings; and breaks during long meetings.
The accommodation does not have to be the one you first suggest. A lawyer can offer an alternative that works just as well—for example, a video remote interpreter instead of an in-person one, if that meets your needs. But they cannot refuse to accommodate you just because their preferred method is different.
How to request accommodations from a lawyer
You can ask for accommodations before you hire a lawyer, during your first consultation, or at any point in your case. The earlier you ask, the more time the firm has to arrange things.
Be direct: "I am Deaf and will need a sign language interpreter for all meetings" or "I have a chronic illness and need to meet by video instead of in person." You do not have to disclose your diagnosis or explain why you need the accommodation. A straightforward statement of what you need is enough.
If a lawyer says they cannot accommodate you, ask why. If they say "we do not have experience with interpreters" or "that is too inconvenient," those are not valid reasons under the ADA. If they say "we cannot afford an interpreter," that is rarely true for a law firm handling paying clients—and if it is, they should refer you to another firm that can.
Get the answer in writing, by email if possible. If a lawyer later claims they never heard your request, you will have proof that you asked.
Your rights during legal proceedings
The ADA applies not just to how a lawyer treats you as a client, but to how courts and legal proceedings work. If you are a witness, a party to a lawsuit, or appearing before a judge, you have the right to accommodations there too.
Your lawyer should help you request accommodations from the court. Common requests include: a sign language interpreter in the courtroom, a quiet room to wait in before testifying, written questions instead of oral ones if you have a hearing disability, or a support person present during depositions. The court can refuse only if the accommodation would fundamentally change the proceeding or create undue hardship—again, a high bar.
If a judge or opposing counsel denies a reasonable accommodation, your lawyer can object and appeal that decision. This is part of protecting your right to participate in your own case.
What to do if a lawyer refuses accommodation
If a lawyer refuses to provide a reasonable accommodation, or charges you for one, you have options. First, put your request and their refusal in writing. Email the lawyer and ask them to confirm in writing why they cannot accommodate you.
Then contact your state bar association. Most states have a disciplinary process for complaints against lawyers. You can file a complaint describing what happened. The bar will investigate whether the lawyer violated the ADA or your state's rules of professional conduct.
You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, which enforces the ADA. You do not need a lawyer to file a complaint, and it is free. The DOJ can investigate and, if they find a violation, pressure the law firm to change its practices.
If you have already hired the lawyer and they refuse accommodation, you may have grounds to fire them and find another firm. You can also ask the court to delay proceedings while you find a lawyer who will work with you.
Questions to ask a lawyer about accommodations
When you are looking for a disability lawyer, ask about accommodations before you commit. These questions help you understand whether a firm takes the ADA seriously:
- Have you worked with clients who have [your disability or similar disabilities]?
- What accommodations have you provided in the past?
- If I need an interpreter or other accommodation, how quickly can you arrange it?
- Do you charge clients for accommodations?
- If you cannot provide an accommodation I need, will you refer me to another firm?
A lawyer who hesitates, says accommodations are "too expensive," or acts annoyed by the questions is signaling that they may not be a good fit. A lawyer who answers directly and asks what you need is more likely to work with you respectfully throughout your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to tell a lawyer about my disability to get accommodations?
No. You only have to tell them what you need. You can say "I need a sign language interpreter" without saying why. However, sharing your diagnosis sometimes helps a lawyer understand your needs better and suggest accommodations you might not have thought of.
Can a lawyer charge me for accommodations?
No. The ADA forbids charging clients for reasonable accommodations. If a lawyer bills you for an interpreter, accessible meeting space, or extra time spent on accommodations, that is a violation. You can refuse to pay and report it to your state bar.
What if the lawyer says an accommodation is too expensive?
Cost is rarely a valid reason to deny accommodation. Law firms regularly pay for interpreters, accessible space, and other supports as a normal business expense. If a firm truly cannot afford a specific accommodation, they must offer an alternative that works just as well, or refer you to another firm.
Can I request accommodations during a court hearing if my lawyer did not arrange them?
Yes. You can ask the judge directly for an accommodation, even if your lawyer did not request it. Tell the judge what you need and why. The judge can order the accommodation on the spot in many cases, though it is better to request accommodations in advance so the court has time to arrange them.
What if I fire my lawyer because they refused accommodation?
You have the right to fire your lawyer at any time. If you are in the middle of a case, tell the court you are changing lawyers and ask for time to find a new one. You can also ask the court to delay proceedings while you find a lawyer who will accommodate you. Document your reason for leaving in case you later need to show the court or your state bar why the first lawyer was not a good fit.