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.

Chad Jerdee Fellowship at Accenture

Our partners at Accenture are offering a yearlong fellowship in its Legal Department to persons with disabilities who have an interest in working in a corporate setting. Chad Jerdee Fellows will rotate through two departments in Accenture Legal and will work under the supervision of Accenture Legal professionals. There will be ample opportunity to interact with many legal departments during the fellowship.

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ABA Wide 21-Day Disability Equity Habit-Building Challenge ©

Take the Challenge today! Learn to become more aware and engaged in the quest for disability equity, as well as about barriers, biases, stereotypes, and discrimination disabled people encounter in everyday life.

Commission on Disability Rights Pages

Resources

We offer many resources for lawyers, law students, legal organizations, and other legal professionals and entities, including toolkits, potential opportunities for law students with disabilities, and much more. Click the link below to go to our resources page!

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Events, Initiatives, and Awards

Learn about our various initiatives and programs, including events for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, our mentor program, the Paul G. Hearne Award, and much more.

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CLEs and Publications

See all the Continuing Legal Education programs we have coming up, as well as those we offer on-demand, and learn more about our invaluable books and other publications. All ABA CLEs are now accessible for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing.

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About Us

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

Learn more - about who we are

New Article from GP Solo!

Read "Developing Disability Cultural Compentency In Your Practice" by CDR Staff Director Amy Allbright. (Link goes to PDF)

Webinar Archive

A list of some of recent webinars on a wide variety of disability-related topics, sponsored or co-sponsored by the Commission on Disability Rights.

Diversity and Inclusion in the American Legal Profession

First Phase Findings From a National Study of Lawyers With Disabilities and Lawyers Who Identify as LGBTQ+

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Living with a Disability in the Profession

Judges and lawyers share their individual experiences living with disabilities in the legal profession, both positive and negative. With a particular focus on courts and the judiciary, the panel discusses how the profession can be more welcoming, accessible, and inclusive for disabled individuals (co-sponsored with the Judicial Division, Civil Rights and Social Justice Section, and Litigation Section)

Internships!

The Commission on Disability Rights has partnered with several leading corporations to establish internships for disabled law students. Click to read more, and hopefully take advantage of these unique opportunities to grow and advance your legal career. The deadlines for 2023 have passed, but watch this space for next year's internships!

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COVID-19 Resources

With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting all of us in many ways, the ABA and its Commission on Disability Rights are working hard to help lawyers with disabilities adapt to the "new normal." Visit our resources page to see our programs, articles, a Zoom accessibility guide, and more!

Why Hire Lawyers with Disabilities?

Why should employers prioritize hiring lawyers with disabilities? In honor of the 30th anniversary of the ADA and the 75th observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the ABA and LSAC spoke with a diverse group of legal professionals to demonstrate why disability inclusion is so vital.

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ABA 2022 Goal III Report

Evaluating demographics of members is critical to the ABA’s goal to promote full and equal participation in the association, our profession, and the justice system by all persons, and to eliminate bias in the legal profession and the justice system.

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.

Commission Members in the News: Paths to a Career in Law

This Lawyer's Blindness Led Him to a Tech-Focused Law Practice

The ABA Journal has published a profile on longtime Liaison to the CDR Ira "Ed" Marquette! Click below to read about his fascinating path through the legal profession.

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State Appeals Judge Challenged Biases to be First Person With Cerebral Palsy to Argue Before SCOTUS

CDR 2018-19 Commissioner Judge Randall M. Howe discusses his path to the law.

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3D - The Disability Discussion Docket

The official e-mail list of the ABA Commission on Disability Rights, providing information and discussion on disability law and disability rights.

CDR Leadership