Arranging access for people with disabilities
If you have a disability, there are services that may be able to help you; before you go to court, to get to court and while you are at court.
Information before going to court
Some courts and tribunals may be able to provide information about going to court in large print, audio, electronic or braille format if you have a vision impairment, print or reading disability.
The Deaf Society of NSW also has information about going to court, translated in Auslan. For more information, go to the
Deaf Society NSW website.
If you have a cognitive disability and are going to court, see the video 
So you have to go to Court!.
For more information, see Disability Inclusion on the Department of Communities & Justice website.
Services available for travelling to court
If you have a disability, contact the court or tribunal you need to attend to find out about access options available to you. The court may be able to arrange disability access parking for you.
For more information, see People with disability on the Department of Communities & Justice website.
Support and assistance
Some services provide support for people with a disability who need to go to court or interact with the law. These are:
- Justice Advocate Service (JAS)
- Disability Advocacy NSW
Justice Advocacy Service (JAS)
The Justice Advocacy Service (JAS) provides support for young people and adults with a cognitive impairment who come into contact with the criminal justice system. This can include victims, witnesses, suspects and defendants.
If you have a cognitive impairment, JAS can arrange for a support person to be with you when you are dealing with police, courts and lawyers. This is a service that operates around NSW, including rural areas.
For more information, see Justice Advocacy Service (JAS) on the Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS) website.
Disability Advocacy NSW
If you have a disability, Disability Advocacy NSW can provide support to you if you are going to court, dealing with police or a lawyer. They can also help link you up with the right people to help you (for example, a lawyer) and talk over a problem with you.
Services available in court
Some services may be available to make it easier for you to attend court. For example:
- Infra-red hearing loop
- Other support
Infra-red hearing loop
Courts can arrange for an infra-red hearing loop to be available on the day of a court hearing.
If you are collecting an infra-red hearing loop, contact the court office a few days before you attend to confirm that it has been ordered.
Other support
You can download and fill in a Request for court assistance form from the Local Court website to let the court staff know what access you require and what support you intend bringing to a particular hearing.
For more information, see Disability Inclusion on the Department of Communities & Justice website.
How to request assistance
The NSW Department of Communities & Justice is committed to providing access to services for people with disabilities throughout the State and in all of its courts and tribunals. If you have a disability and are going to court, and need some help you can contact your local court or Diversity Services.
For more information, see Contact us on the Department of Communities & Justice website.