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    Commission on Disability Rights

    The Commission works to promote the ABA's commitment to justice and the rule of law for people with mental, physical, and sensory disabilities, and to promote their full and equal participation in the legal profession.

    A woman in a wheelchair leads a presentation to her colleagues.

    About Us

    Our Commissioners, Liaisons, and staff are dedicated attorneys and advocates, many of whom practice disability law or have disabilities themselves. Learn more about the Commission on Disability Rights and its history.

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    Support Us

    Your support of the Commission on Disability Rights is greatly appreciated and will help us continue our work to promote the ABA's commitment to justice and the rule of law for persons with mental, physical, and sensory disabilities and their full and equal participation in the legal profession.

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    Featured

    Seeking Undergraduate and Law Interns for the Fall 2025 Semester

    The Commission on Disability Rights offers unpaid Fall, Spring, and Summer internships for undergraduate and law students with a demonstrated commitment to disability rights. Interns will work on various Commission initiatives, activities, and programs aimed at advancing disability civil rights and fostering the inclusion of law students and lawyers with disabilities in the legal profession. Spots for the Summer 2025 internship program have been filled; the Commission is currently seeking law and undergrad interns for the Fall 2025 semester.

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    Lawyer Spotlight: Rebecca Williford

    President and Chief Executive Officer of Disability Rights Advocates Rebecca Williford discussed her work with the organization, a few of the many class action and impact litigation lawsuits in her portfolio that she is most proud of, and the progress made in the legal profession since she co-edited Lawyers, Lead On: Lawyers with Disabilities Share Their Insights (ABA Press 2011).

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    Law Student Spotlight: Nikita Shetty

    Nikita Shetty discusses her multiple sclerosis diagnosis, her experiences at Drexel University’s Kline School of Law, and the advice she would give to fellow disabled law students with multiple identities.

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    Recent News

    Mar. 17

    Jan. 21

    Jan. 08

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    Resources

    The History of Disability Rights: Milestones and Laws

    Learn about the history of the civil rights of persons with disabilities by visiting our timeline.

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    All Resources

    We offer many more resources for lawyers, law students, legal organizations, and other legal professionals and entities.

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    Policy

    Resolution 608

    Recommends the adoption of the American Bar Association Model Rule on Conditional Admissions to the Practice of Law, dated February 2025, to supplant all earlier versions of the Model Rule, and urges admissions authorities to adopt and enforce the new Model Rule to ensure the integrity of the admission process.

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    All Policy

    Read more about resolutions passed by the ABA House of Delegates for which the CDR was a sponsor or cosponsor, or which directly address issues in disability law.

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    Events, Initiatives & Awards

    What Our Pledge Signatories Are Up To

    Learn what law firms are doing in fostering a disability-inclusive workplace.

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    All Events, Initiatives & Awards

    Learn about our various initiatives and programs, including our Pledge for Change: Disability Diversity in the Legal Profession, a mentorship program for lawyers and law students with disabilities, awards for lawyers and legal employers, and more.

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    Webinars, CLEs & Publications

    Building a Neuroinclusive Legal Workplace: The Competitive Advantage of Diversity

    Between 15-20% of the US population is neurodiverse. Neurodiversity is getting lots of attention, with more and more employers recognizing the benefits of diversity of thought and tapping into this talent pool. Our esteemed panel of experts—including neurodivergent attorneys—discussed what neurodivergent means for employers and the workplace, the unique skills and abilities that accompany it, and what businesses should be doing about it.

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    All Webinars, CLEs & Publications

    View our free webinars, Continuing Legal Education programs (CLEs), and publications. All ABA CLEs are closed captioned.

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    CDR Leadership

    Explore ABA Diversity Groups

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