- Posted June 17, 2011
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OFF THE PRESS
The American Bar Association Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law has published "Lawyers, Lead On: Lawyers with Disabilities Share Their Insights" to help students, new lawyers, allies and employers better understand people with disabilities and reimagine the legal profession from the standpoint of disability.
People with disabilities are profoundly underrepresented in the legal profession. While they only represent an estimated 10 percent of the law school population, the percentage of legal professionals with disabilities is even lower. Disabled law students and attorneys must cope with a wide range of employment barriers, including stereotyping, limited professional opportunities, and concerns about disclosure of disability, hiring, promotion and retention.
Written by lawyers with disabilities, the book is an inspiring collection of their letters of encouragement and advice to the next generation of legal professionals. It features authors with a range of experiences that honor different perspectives on work and disability, including people with non-apparent disabilities, people of color, women, LGBT lawyers, older lawyers and others. Their moving stories help foster a cross-disability community and offer hope and encouragement to students, young lawyers and all who face adversity in the legal profession.
"Lawyers, Lead On" begins with the transition to law school, which presents unique hurdles for people with disabilities. Two of the five authors in this section - an established lawyer and a law professor - recount the challenges they faced as blind students, and the successes they achieved. Others take on the topics of mental health, diminished mobility and cerebral palsy.
Five subsequent chapters discuss disability and disclosure, disability identity, the foundation of a meaningful career, awareness building in the profession and reflections on the disability rights movement.
In addition, the book includes an index to experiences discussed in the authors' letters. These are arranged by category: type of disability, socio-cultural and work.
The American Bar Association Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law was established in 1973 to respond to the advocacy needs of persons with mental disabilities. After the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the ABA broadened the Commission's mission to serve all persons with disabilities. Today, the Commission carries out an array of projects and activities addressing disability-related public policy, disability law, and the professional needs of lawyers and law students with disabilities.
"Lawyers, Lead On: Lawyers with Disabilities Share Their Insights" published by the ABA Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law costs $39.95; $29.95 for ABA members; and $19.95 for Law Student Division members. To order, visit www.ababooks.org or call 1-800-285-2221.
Published: Fri, Jun 17, 2011
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