Do you have a disability? How will that affect you in law school? You need to know about your rights under the law, what types of “accommodations” are available, and how students go about disclosing disabilities. Most law students with disabilities recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act are at least generally familiar with their rights vis-à-vis their academic pursuits. For a brief introduction into the general principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act, consider reading the introductory pages of attorney Nathaniel Wolf’s excellent article in the Michigan State University Law Review. (2000 L. Rev. M.S.U.-D.C.L. 543)
For a basic discussion of the lay of the land for students with learning disabilities, you may want to read an overview written by Patricia H. Latham, JD, in conjunction with the LDA School-Age and Postsecondary Advocacy Committees.
The American Bar Association offers information and assistance to lawyers and law students with all types of disabilities. The ABA’s Commission on Mental & Physical Disability Law has a Mentor Program for law students with disabilities. The program is open to law students with all types of disabilities, including learning disabilities. The program matches law students with practicing attorneys, taking into account the students’ interest in being matched with lawyers who have disabilities, the types of disabilities, geographical location and practice areas of interest.