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October 02, 2019

Program to discuss creating opportunities for law students with disabilities

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2019 —The American Bar Association Commission on Disability Rights and American University Washington College of Law will present a joint program on creating opportunities for law students with disabilities on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at American University.

At 12:30 p.m. the Hon. Tony Coelho, former member of Congress, will give the luncheon keynote on “Why the ADA and the Need for People with Disabilities on the Bench?” ABA President Judy Perry Martinez will give welcome remarks at 10 a.m.

What:  
Creating Opportunities for Law Students with Disabilities
in the 21st Century: Inclusivity on Campus and in the Workplace

Sponsored by the ABA  Commission on Disability Rights and American University Washington College of Law

When: 
Oct. 8

Where:
American University Washington College of Law
Claudio Grossman Hall
4300 Nebraska Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20016

Program highlights include:

“Facilitating Mental Health and Disability Accommodations at School and in the Workplace” With a rise in law school students seeking special accommodation requests for anxiety, mental health and other non-visible disabilities, in addition to requests to work through psychiatric challenges, panelists will discuss current trends involving accommodation requests and how law schools can implement reasonable accommodations. Panelists include: Julia Garrison, fellow, Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Washington, D.C.; Mark Gross, legal consultant and of counsel, Law Office of Brian K. Gruber, P.C., Rockville, Md.; and Lindsay Northup-Moore, director, Disability Support, Academic Support and Access Center, American University.
10:15-11:15 a.m.

“Pros and Cons of Discloser: Working with Prospective Employers” — Panelists will discuss the employee and employer rights under the American with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Students will have the opportunity to work through scenarios to provide insight on the laws and best practices. Panelists include: Katherine Perez, director, Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy, and Innovation, Loyola Law School, Chicago; Mark S. Goldstein, counsel, Labor & Employment Group, Reed Smith LLP, New York; Jennifer Mathis, director, Policy and Legal Advocacy, Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Washington, D.C.;  Haley Moss, associate, Zumpano Patricios, Miami;  and Annabrooke Temple, director of Professional Development, University of California Hastings College of Law.
11:30-12:30 p.m.

“Helping Our Students Help Themselves in Making Career Choices — Affected by unique challenges, students with disabilities generally seek assistance from career services personnel at school to help navigate their career path. Panelists, including Andy Imparato, executive director, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Silver Spring, Md.: Eve Hill, partner, Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP, Baltimore; and Tiffany J. Tucker, assistant dean for Career Development, University of Houston Law Center, will provide insight on best practices to help students prepare to find the best career.
1:30-2:30 p.m.

From the Frontlines: Learning from Recent Graduates and Their Experience — A panel of law school graduates with disabilities will provide their perspectives on the law school and workplace experience to help generate ideas for improvements. Panelists include: Marissa Ditkowsky, Litigation Fellow, AARP Foundation, Washington, D.C.; Lydia X. Z. Brown, Justice Catalyst Legal fellow; Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Washington, D.C.: Silvia Calderon, policy advisor, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy; Victoria M. Rodriguez Roldan, senior policy counsel, Trans/GNC Justice and Disability Justice Projects director, National LGBTQ Task Force, Washington, D.C.; and Hannah Sydnor-Greenberg, education fellow, National Women’s Law Center, Washington, D.C.
2:45-3:45 p.m.

See the complete agenda here.

There is no charge for media covering this event. To register, please contact Betsy Adeboyejo at 202-662-1039 or [email protected].

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