Disability Discrimination Law: The Impact on Legal Education and the Legal Profession

Abstract

Disability discrimination law affects every lawyer, even those who do not plan to represent clients with disabilities or practice in the area of discrimination law. It also affects every law school and every institution of law, from the courts to federal governmental agencies. It affects gatekeepers to legal practice - the Law School Admission Council and the state bar admission authorities. It applies to areas of concern for the American Bar Association accreditation process and the Association of American Law Schools membership requirements. The fortieth anniversary of the beginning of federal policy prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability is a good time to reflect on the impact on legal education and the legal profession.

Keywords: Rehabilitation Act, Section 504, discrimination law, disability law, LSAC, ABA

JEL Classification: K10, K23, K31, K40, K42, J7, J71