The Florida Supreme Court has made important changes to its rules regarding court accessibility for individuals with disabilities. In a ruling on May 14, 2026, the court decided to adopt amendments to Rule 2.540, which governs requests for accommodations by persons with disabilities. This decision affects how courts communicate necessary information to individuals who may require assistance during legal proceedings.

The amendments clarify the requirements for notices of court proceedings, ensuring that they include specific language mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This change is significant as it aims to improve accessibility and ensure that individuals with disabilities are aware of their rights to accommodations in court.

Background

The amendments originated from a report filed by The Florida Bar’s Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration Committee. The committee proposed changes to two rules: Rule 2.530, which deals with communication technology, and Rule 2.540, which focuses on requests for accommodations by persons with disabilities. The Board of Governors of The Florida Bar unanimously recommended acceptance of these proposed amendments.

The court published the proposed amendments for public comment, but no comments were received. This lack of opposition allowed the court to proceed with the amendments without additional delay. The court has jurisdiction over such matters as outlined in the Florida Constitution.

The Ruling

The court ruled to adopt the amendments to Rule 2.540, specifically focusing on the notice requirements for court proceedings. The amendments clarify that all notices must include ADA notice language, which is crucial for informing individuals with disabilities of their rights. The court stated, "All notices of court proceedings...must contain the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) notice language."

Additionally, the court updated the font requirements for the notice language, changing it from Times New Roman or Courier to Bookman Old Style or Arial. This change aims to enhance readability and accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The ruling was made by a per curiam opinion, meaning it was issued collectively by the court without a specific judge being named.

Impact

The amendments to Rule 2.540 will take effect on July 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. This change is expected to have a significant impact on how courts communicate with individuals who may require accommodations. By standardizing the notice language and font requirements, the court aims to ensure that all individuals with disabilities are informed of their rights and the resources available to them.

This ruling sets a precedent for how courts in Florida will handle accessibility issues in the future. It emphasizes the importance of clear communication and the need for courts to be proactive in accommodating individuals with disabilities. The changes reflect a commitment to inclusivity within the judicial system, ensuring that all individuals can participate fully in court proceedings.

What's Next

While the court has adopted the amendments to Rule 2.540, it declined to adopt the proposed changes to Rule 2.530 at this time. Instead, the court referred this matter to the Civil Procedure Rules Committee for further consideration. This indicates that there may be future discussions regarding communication technology in court settings. There is currently no indication that the ruling will be appealed.