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Committee on Persons with Disabilities in the Legal Profession

Mission

The Committee's focus of study includes:

Hiring
Accessibility to courtrooms and courthouses
The interview process of new hires
The progression of disabled lawyers after hiring
Dissemination of information
Finding solutions through mentoring and programs that are already working

Committee on Persons with Disabilities in the Legal Profession recognized by the ABA's Commission on Mental and Physical Disabilities

I work as a staff attorney for the American Bar Association's Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law. Arizona State Bar is a signatory of our Pledge for Change. One of the Commission's charges is to reach out to state bar associations, working with them to advance the inclusion of law students and lawyers with disabilities in the legal profession-a goal we share with your Committee on Persons with Disabilities in the Legal Profession.

Over the summer, the Commission researched all of the state bars, collecting information on committees or other groups that focused on law students and lawyers with disabilities and/or disability rights, and posted this information on our website at http://www.americanbar.org/groups/disabilityrights.html. I was impressed by the numerous activities of your Committee, in particular the Mentor Program, Courtroom Accessibility Survey, Great Speakers and Connection Series, Judge John R. Sticht Awards, and Job Handbook. Like your Committee, our Commission has a mentoring program, and we will be establishing an award this year for those pledge signatories who make significant contributions to disability diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Our Paul G. Hearne Award for Disability Rights is broader in scope, recognizing persons who or organizations that has performed exemplary service in furthering the rights, dignity, and access to justice for people with disabilities. Also, like your Committee, our Commission works in conjunction with the ABA's Diversity Group, advising on pipeline issues impacting both law students and lawyers with disabilities.

The Commission would like to give special recognition to your Committee and share its activities with other state bars as one of several model programs for law students and lawyers with disabilities. Moreover, in light of our similar goals, we would be interested in working with the Committee on activities that promote and encourage the success of persons with disabilities in the legal profession. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Amy L. Allbright, J.D.
Managing Editor, Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law
American Bar Association
Activities

Great Speakers and Connections Series
Mentor Program