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.

Follow:

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.

Learn More - About Us

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.

Donate - Now

Featured

Support the Commission on ABA Giving Day 2024

ABA Giving Day on Thursday, October 24th, is a day when supporters of the American Bar Association invest in its charitable programs that advance democracy, equity, and justice. This year, we hope that you’ll give to the Commission on Disability Rights, which advances the civil rights of all individuals with disabilities to secure their access, equity, inclusion, and participation in society. With your gift, the Commission can continue its critical work.

Make a Gift - Today

The History of Disability Rights: Milestones and Laws

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

View - More

Lawyer Spotlight

James Fetter, associate attorney at Kahn Swick & Foti, on finding secure employment as a blind lawyer.

More About CDR Spotlights

Read - the Interview

Recent News

Oct. 10

Law Student Mental Health Day: Progress Has Been Made, But We Need a Cultural Shift

We spoke with Anna Reid, the Director of Development for the National Disabled Law Students Association (NDLSA) and a 3L at Georgetown Law School studying environmental law, to get her perspective on…

Sep. 18

ABLE Accounts: Empowering People with Disabilities

The National Association of State Treasurers (NAST), in collaboration with the D.C. Bar, has developed an online continuing legal education course that provides a comprehensive overview of the statut…

Sep. 10

A Look at Mental Health Courts

Americans with mental illnesses—many of whom have co-occurring substance use disorders—are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Mental health courts offer an alternative to the traditional…

See More - News

Resources

Law School Disability Programs

This first-of-its-kind online directory contains the best available information from ABA-accredited law schools concerning their disability-related programming, such as disability support services/offices, curricular and co-curricular options for disability law and disability rights, and relevant clinical programs.

Learn - More

State and Local Bars: Disability and DEI Groups Directory

This Directory was created to help lawyers find information about committees, sections, etc. that focus on disabled attorneys, disability law, mental health law, and diversity in general or specific to women, LGBTQ+ people, and marginalized racial and ethnic groups.

Learn - More

Planning Accessible Meetings & Events Toolkit

Are you planning a meeting or event and need to ensure that it is accessible for individuals with disabilities? This newly updated toolkit provides planners with best practices for doing so.

Access the - Updated Toolkit

All Resources

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

See - All

Policy

Resolution 607

Resolution 607 urges state, local, territorial, and tribal governments not to broaden their criteria for involuntary civil commitment of people with mental health disabilities as a strategy to address homelessness; and to increase funding for and access to safe and affordable housing and non-coercive community-based supports and services for people with mental health disabilities.

Learn - More

Resolution 506

Resolution 506 urges national, state, local, territorial and tribal law and policy-making bodies to adopt the provisions of the Guardianship Bill of Rights, promulgated by the National Guardianship Network in 2022 and protect the right to Due Process in guardianship proceedings.

Learn - More

Resolution 514

Resolution 514 urges Congress to fund fully the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) at the maximum level that Congress originally authorized, which is 40 percent of a state’s excess costs for educating students with disabilities under the Act.

Learn - More

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.

See - All

Events, Initiatives & Awards

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

The ABA actively participates in National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign in October that celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities.

Learn - More

#BeCounted: Express Your Disability Pride

The American Bar Association’s Commission on Disability Rights invites you to take part in the #BeCounted campaign, which encourages lawyers with disabilities across the country to add themselves to our U.S. map to express their disability pride.

Learn - More

Pledge for Change

In furthering its commitment to diversity in the legal profession, the ABA Commission is promoting A Pledge for Change, a one-page pledge for legal employers to sign that affirms the signatory’s commitment to diversity, specifically disability diversity.

What Our Pledge Signatories Are Up To

Read - The Pledge

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.

See - All

Webinars, CLEs & Publications

Working Ethically and Effectively with Attorneys and Clients with Disabilities

October 15 | Join two attorneys with disabilities as they guide you through understanding and respecting the mindset of people with disabilities, while covering essential ethics obligations, ADA requirements, and the importance of effective communication. Gain insights into key legal standards, including Model Rules 1.1, 1.4, and ABA Formal Opinion 500, to enhance your legal practice.

Publications | Book

Tell the Client's Story: Mitigation in Criminal and Death Penalty Cases

Loaded with practical case studies, surveys, checklists, and appendices, this book provides litigation teams the best strategies for effective mitigation work in criminal and capital cases.

$9995

MEMBERS save 20%

All Webinars, CLEs & Publications

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

See - All

CDR Leadership

Chair

Robert ("Bob") D. Dinerstein

American University Washington College of Law

Washington, DC

CDR Staff

Amy L. Allbright

Staff Director

[email protected]
Sarah B. Katz

Program Associate

[email protected]

Explore ABA Diversity Groups

Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights & Responsibilities
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Center
Commission On Women in the Profession
Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession

Explore - All Groups

Renew Your ABA Membership

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.