Have you run into problems with courtroom access and/or finding legal aid?
DisabilityScoop.com recently had a ranking of state courts for populations including the poor, disabled and non-English speakers, detailing the obstacles many people face when trying to navigate the legal system.
The rankings were developed by the National Center for Access to Justice with the aid of law firms and law students at the University of Pennsylvania and the Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University. The website reported that they look at “how accessible courts are across the country for people with disabilities and other underserved groups.”
Unfortunately, Oklahoma has the lowest composite rating in the country, which measured disability access at courts, how many legal aid attorneys were available, whether states had laws addressing service dogs in court and if people with disabilities were charged for sign-language interpreters.
The average national state composite score was 51—Oklahoma’s score was 23.7. Kentucky, which came in second to last, had a score of 33.4. States with the top five scores included Washington D.C., Connecticut, Minnesota, Hawaii and New York.
To view the composite scores, you can click the source link located at the bottom of this blog.
Applying for SSDI Benefits
It is unacceptable that Oklahoma ranks this low when it comes to providing legal assistance for the underprivileged and disabled. Unfortunately, many of the people affected by this collect Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) because their disabilities make it impossible for them to work.
Do not hesitate to contact our Tulsa Social Security disability lawyers for a free evaluation of your case if you are thinking about applying for benefits. It is important for people who are disabled to have access to courtrooms and legal aid. We can help you with this.
Remember, if you are struggling financially, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not have to worry about paying fees up front. Only if your case is resolved successfully will we receive a small percentage of your award.
Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security disability lawyers