Wednesday, July 9, 2025 – Akron, OH – The Summit County Domestic Relations Court is proud to announce the soft launch of its new “Quiet Space” on Friday, July 25, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This initiative reflects the Court’s evolving vision of inclusive justice and underscores its commitment to trauma-informed services and equitable access for all court users.
Located on the third-floor lobby of the Domestic Relations Court, the Quiet Space is a private room which will serve dual functions. First, for individuals who are in sensory crisis or are in need of a moment in a calming space and second, to promote our Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace designation for nursing mothers in need of a lactation space. It represents the Court’s growing commitment to accessibility and healing-centered engagement.
“This isn’t just a room with soft lighting,” said Administrative Judge Katarina Cook. “It’s a promise: that justice can be both fair and kind. We are building a people’s court—one that sees the full person and meets them where they are because inclusion is not just a fad – it will be the standard.”
The pilot launch is supported by community partners including Summit DD, the Akron-Summit County Public Library, and Victim Assistance Program (VAP). The Quiet Space features inclusive materials on loan from the Library’s Accessibility Collection and aims to set a new standard for what a courthouse can feel like.
Summit DD Superintendent Lisa Kamlowsky emphasized, “Summit DD is proud to partner with Judge Cook and her team to create an inclusive space that supports those with different sensory needs at the courthouse. We deeply appreciate her commitment to ensuring that the needs of people of all abilities are not only recognized but truly supported.”
This initiative builds on recent collaborations such as the June 13th Ohio Justice Bus Free Legal Clinic, where the Sensory Bus offered a calming space to visitors and highlighted the Court’s future-forward thinking on accessibility. Feedback gathered during the Quiet Space pilot project will directly inform a permanent build-out and ongoing grant development.
This initiative is made possible by the dedication of key partners:
Confirmed speakers include Judge Katarina Cook, Summit DD Superintendent Lisa Kamlowsky, and Victim Assistance Program’s Director of Services Rebecca Cool. Remarks will highlight the national context of ADA, the local need for inclusive justice, and how the public can contribute to sustaining and expanding the Quiet Space.
How You Can Participate:
The launch of the Quiet Space is more than an event. It’s a testament to the idea that trust in the justice system is built on one act of care at a time. The Summit County Domestic Relations Court invites the public to witness and shape a more inclusive future—one room, one story, one act of dignity at a time.
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Summit County Domestic Relations Court handles matters of divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, and family law. The Court is dedicated to serving families with fairness, accessibility, and integrity. www.drcourt.org
Summit DD provides services to over 5,000 individuals with developmental disabilities across all age groups—from infants to seniors. In 2024 alone, they served 5,215 individuals, marking a 2% increase from the previous year. https://www.summitdd.org/
The Summit Sensory Bus, officially known as the Inclusioneers Mobile Sensory Bus, is a collaborative initiative between Summit DD (Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board) and the nonprofit organization Inclusioneers. This mobile unit is designed to provide a calming and inclusive environment for individuals with sensory processing needs, particularly during community events that may be overwhelming due to noise, crowds, or other stimuli.
In 1972, help was non-existent for crime and trauma victims. In response to their overwhelming needs, Captain John Cunningham, Stella Long, the late Richard Kinsinger, and Robert Denton came together to form Victim Assistance Program. Formalizing services in 1974, under the leadership of Robert Denton, Victim Assistance Program pioneered comprehensive services from the crime scene through the criminal justice system, in a unique collaboration with the police, prosecutors, and the courts. Today, that tradition continues, and our community relationships allow Victim Assistance Program to help thousands of individuals transition from hardship to healing each year; providing 24-hour crisis intervention, advocacy, and education to victims of crime and trauma and the professional community who serves this population. https://victimassistanceprogram.org/
In January 1874, the Akron City Council passed an ordinance to create a free public library for the city. On February 27, 1874, the Board of Trustees of the newly-formed Akron Public Library met for the first time, with John R. Buchtel serving as the first Board President. The Akron Public Library officially opened to the public in a building at the corner of Mill and South Howard streets on March 1, 1874. A century later, in 1974, the Library became the Akron-Summit County Public Library, incorporating suburban branch libraries into its system.
Today, the Akron-Summit County Public Library’s official service area includes the City of Akron and all of Summit County except for Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Peninsula, Stow-Munroe Falls, and Twinsburg, all of which are served by independent libraries. Anyone living, working, or attending school in Ohio is eligible to register for a free Akron-Summit County Public Library card. Find out more about the Akron-Summit County Public Library here: https://www.akronlibrary.org/about
Advancing Independence Network, Akron-Summit County Public Library, ArtsNow, Direction Home Akron Canton, and Summit DD are honored to announce the launch of The Accessibility Library a pioneering project that’s deeply rooted in the Akron/Summit Cultural Plan.
The Accessibility Library is a groundbreaking resource center dedicated to enhancing accessibility at festivals, performances, community gatherings, and cultural shows–at no cost to users, thanks to the support of its partners. Read the full press release here
The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law on July 26, 1990 by President George H. W. Bush, is a cornerstone civil rights statute prohibiting discrimination based on disability across employment, public services, and accommodations. As the ADA approaches its 35th anniversary in 2025, it remains a defining framework for equal access and inclusion in the United States.
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