Summit County, Ohio: Summit County Common Pleas Court Administrative Judge Amy Corrigall Jones is pleased to announce that as part of a project to redesign and upgrade the court’s website, the court is seeking the public’s feedback about the strengths and weaknesses of the current website.

“Our website is an extension of the court’s vision and mission and we suspect more and more people have their first contact with the court through our website. Therefore, it’s important we know how the website can be improved from the people using it,” Judge Corrigall Jones explained.

To obtain feedback, a 10-question survey link is posted on the website’s home page. The survey takes just a few minutes to complete. The purpose of the survey is to gather input about why people use the site, its current accessibility, helpfulness and suggested changes and improvements. A key area of focus is gaining information relevant to the website’s utility for users with a vision or hearing impairment and those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).

Earlier this year, the court received a technology grant from the Supreme Court of Ohio to fund redesigning and upgrading the website to improve and enhance access to justice. AtNetPlus will complete the website redesign and upgrade project. Key features that will be added are video transcription for hearing-impaired users; fonts and colors designed for individuals with low-vision and Google translation for LEP website users. A self-help resource center for self-represented litigants, who often are low-income and can’t afford an attorney, will provide court forms, instructions, comprehensive information and links to legal resources. An upgraded juror application will allow jurors to acquire information about their jury duty status, submit questionnaires, requests for postponements and provide text, email or phone alerts regarding postponements. Real-time and major court event updates will also be featured on the homepage.

These improvements are in an effort to ensure access to justice for individuals that have historically faced barriers to accessing the justice system. Using technology to address those barriers and better serve these communities are aligned with a larger movement within the justice system.

“Technology has become our way of life and is part of the solution to ensure access to justice to the entire public,” concluded Corrigall Jones.

The survey was posted on the website beginning August 10, 2018 and will be posted for 60 days. Please visit our website at www.summitcpcourt.net and complete the survey.