Serving on a jury is one of the most powerful ways we participate in our democracy. It is a time when everyday people help deliver justice, ensure fairness, and influence decisions that shape real lives. For many disabled people, one question often comes up: Can I serve? And just as important, will I be supported if I do? The answer is yes.
Across the country, courts are working to make jury service more inclusive. Having a disability does not disqualify someone from serving. In fact, the law protects the right of disabled people to be part of the jury process. Courts are required to provide reasonable accommodations to make that possible.
These accommodations can look different depending on the needs of the juror. They can include sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, wheelchair-accessible seating, or adjusted schedules. If you get a jury summons and need accommodations, contact the court as soon as you can, usually at least 10 business days before your service date.
While national data on jurors with disabilities is limited, tools like the National Center for State Courts’ Jury Data Dashboard help track jury demographics and identify gaps.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 data, about 26% of American adults live with a disability.
However, research from the National Disability Rights Network indicates that disabled people represent less than 10% of jury pools nationwide. Common barriers include inaccessible courthouses and lack of accommodations. A 2012 report by the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law found that nearly 20% of disabled people were excluded from jury service due to misconceptions about their abilities. Improving data collection and court accessibility is key to creating juries that truly reflect community diversity.
Too often, disabled people have been left out of jury service. This is partly because of outdated beliefs about what they can or cannot do. However, laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act make it illegal to exclude someone from serving just because they have a disability.
One example from a federal court case involved a deaf person who was removed from jury service because the court did not want to provide an interpreter. A judge later ruled that this was discrimination. It sent a clear message: accommodations are not optional, they are a civil right.
Real stories show how inclusion works. In one case, a blind juror served during a civil trial. Other jurors helped by reading documents out loud during deliberations. The jury reached a fair decision, and the experience changed how many saw what inclusion really means. It worked because the court was willing to provide support and because the jurors worked together.
Serving on a jury as a disabled person is possible. It sends a strong message that justice is for everyone. Every voice matters. Everyone deserves to participate in the justice system.
Sources:
Abney, David L. “Excluding the Disabled from Trial: The Impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act.” American Journal of Trial Advocacy, vol. 28, 2004, p. 415. HeinOnline.
Cohen, Bob, and Janet Rosales. “Racial and Ethnic Disparity in Manhattan Jury Pools: Results of a Survey and Suggestions for Reform.” Citizen Action of New York, 2007.
Donnelly, Christine. “Kokua Line: Can I Be a Juror despite Disability?” The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Oahu Publications, Inc., 7 Aug. 2025, http://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/08/07/hawaii-news/kokua-line/kokua-line-can-i-be-a-juror-despite-disability/.
Frank, Donovan W., and Brian N. Aleinikoff. “Juries and the Disabled.” Federal Lawyer, 2012. https://www.fedbar.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/coverstory-dec12-pdf-1.pdf