DATE

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

1945

The ABA's Special Committee on Rights of Mentally Ill is created.

1961

The first edition of the American Bar Foundation's Mentally Disabled and the Law is published.

1971

The second edition of Mentally Disabled and the Law is published.

1973

ABA President, Chesterfield Smith, establishes the ABA Commission on the Mentally Disabled. Jerome J. Shestack is the founding chair.

1976

The first issue of Mental Disability Law Reporter is published, with funding from the American Bar Endowment, Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, and the National Institute of Mental Health.

1976-79

The Commission's Bar Funding, in conjunction with local and state bar associations and with funding from the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, helps create 10 mental health advocacy programs throughout the United States.

1978-82

The Commission, with funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities, prepares and publishes a series of nine model statutes, entitled Disabled Persons and the Law (1982).

1982-84

The Commission, in conjunction with the ABA Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly and with funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, prepares and publishes a Model Act Regulating Board and Care Homes: Guidelines for the States (1984).

1984

The Reporter changes its name to the Mental and Physical Disability Law Reporter, and the Commission publishes the first edition of Mental Disability Law: A Primer.

1985

The third edition of the Mentally Disabled and the Law is published.

1986

The ABA Criminal Justice Mental Health Standards is published. The ABA is given the New Jersey Community Health Law Project Founders Award Plaque in recognition of the Commission's Bar Funding project, which helped establish the Law Project.

1987

Samuel J. Brakel, John Parry, and Barbara Weiner receive the Manfred S. Guttmacher Award for Mentally Disabled and the Law from the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Psychiatry and Law.

1988

The Commission, in conjunction with the ABA Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly, holds the National Guardianship Symposium at the Wingspread Conference Facility in Racine, Wisconsin.

1988-91

The Commission, in conjunction with the ABA Center on Children and the Law and with funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities, prepares and publishes AIDS and Persons with Developmental Disabilities: The Legal Perspective (1989) and AIDS/HIV and Confidentiality (1991).

1989-91

The Commission, in conjunction with the ABA Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly and with funding from the State Justice Institute, prepares and publishes Steps to Enhance Guardianship Monitoring (1991).

1991

The Commission, in conjunction with the Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly and the National Judicial College and with funding from the State Justice Institute and the U.S. Administration on Aging, hold the National Conference on the Court-Related Needs of the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities and publishes Court-Related Needs of the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities: A Blueprint for the Future (1991).

1991

The Commission changes its name to the ABA Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law.

1992

The ABA creates the Task Force on Member Benefits for Disabled Lawyers.

1992-93

The Commission, in conjunction with the National Mental Health Association and with funding from the Pew Charitable Trusts and the DuPont Company, prepares and publishes The ADA and People with Mental Illness: A Resource Manual for Employers (1993).

1992-94

The Commission, in conjunction with the Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly and with funding from the State Justice Institute, institutes a project on court accessibility under the ADA and publishes Opening the Courthouse Door: An Access Guide for State Courts (1992) and Into the Jury Box: A Disability Accommodation Guide for State Courts (1994).

1994

The Commission's creates the Subcommittee on Lawyers with Disabilities as the Subcommittee on Member Benefits for Lawyers with Disabilities.

1995

The Commission publishes Fifth Edition of Mental Disability Law: A Primer.

1996

The Mental and Physical Disability Law Reporter celebrates its 20th Anniversary with a special commemorative October-November issue, and the Commission publishes Regulation, Litigation and Dispute Resolution Under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

1997

The Commission publishes Mental Disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

1998

The Commission, in cooperation with ABA President Jerome J. Shestack, celebrates its 25th anniversary with an ABA National Conference: In Pursuit ... A Blueprint for Disability Law and Policy.

1998

The Commission, with funding from the State Justice Institute, publishes National Benchbook on Psychiatric and Psychological Evidence and Testimony.

1999

The Commission, in conjunction with the National Organization on Disability and the J.C. Penney Corporation, presents the first Paul G. Hearne disability Law Award to James Ellis, J.D.

1999

The ABA passes a Commission-sponsored resolution to amend the ABA's Goal IX to "promote full and equal participation in the legal profession by minorities, women and persons with disabilities."

1999

Commission celebrates tenth anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act at Annual Meeting with Presidential Showcase program, Paul G. Hearne Disability Rights Award, and reception for lawyers with disabilities.

2000

Commission expands mission "to promote 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."

2000

The Commission publishes second edition of the Directory of Lawyers Practicing Disability Law.

2000

The Commission publishes Criminal Law Handbook on Psychiatric and Psychological Evidence and Testimony.

2000

ABA and The Commission receives certificate of appreciation from the National Organization on Disability for outstanding contribution to expanding the participation of persons with disabilities in American life.

2000

ABA submits Commission amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court case Tennessee v. Lane, supporting constitutionality of the Americans with Disabilities Act as applied to the states.

2001

The Commission creates two disability law web boards utilizing resources of Mental and Physical Disability Law Reporter.

2001

The Commission supports ABA amicus brief in U.S. Supreme Court case Atkins v. Virginia opposing the execution of persons with mental retardation.

2001

ABA President-Elect Robert Hirshon presents Paul G. Hearne Award for disability rights to Stan Herr at Commission's Annual Meeting reception for lawyers with disabilities.

2001

The Commission publishes Civil Law Handbook on Psychiatric and Psychological Evidence and Testimony.

2001

The Commission creates Mentoring Program, pairing law students and lawyers with disabilities.

2002

The Commission publishes Goal IX Report with recommendations showing minimal progress made in placing lawyers with disabilities in leadership positions.

2002

The Commission co-sponsors resolution at Mid-Year Meeting to provide full access in state and federal courts for person with disabilities.

2002

ABA President Robert Hirshon presents Paul G. Hearne Award for Disability Rights to Robert Perske at Commission's Annual Meeting Reception for Lawyers with Disabilities.

2002

The Commission, joined by the West Group, holds Annual Meeting Presidential CLE program on electronic information access for persons with disabilities under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

2002

The Commission publishes the Handbook on Mental Disability Law.

2003

The Commission's Mental and Physical Disability Law Reporter publishes Jim Ellis' "Mental Retardation and the Death Penalty: A Guide to State Legislative Issues."

2003

Commission publishes Goal IX Report with recommendations revealing little progress has been made in placing lawyers with disabilities in leadership positions.

2003

Representative for ABA President A.P. Carlton presents Paul G Hearne Award for Disability Rights to Oakland Disability Advocates at Commission's Annual Meeting Reception for Lawyers with Disabilities.

2003

The Commission publishes the Handbook on Disability Discrimination Law.

2003

The Commission and Section on Individual Rights and Responsibilities successfully petition ABA to submit amicus brief to U.S. Supreme Court supporting constitutionality of ADA Title II as applied to the states.

2004

The Commission awards scholarships to lawyers and law students with disabilities to attend the ABA's Annual Meeting in Atlanta.

2004

The Commission publishes Goal IX Report.

2004

The Commission publishes the Mental & Physical Disability Law Digest.

2004

ABA President Dennis W. Archer presents Paul G. Hearne Award for Disability Rights to Anil Lewis, Chair of Board of Directors of the Disability Law and Policy Center of Georgia.

2004

The Commission publishes Monograph on State Disability Discrimination Laws, with 50-state charts on employment, public services, public accommodations, housing, and education.

2005

The Commission publishes the Goal IX Report.  The Report showed the inclusion of lawyers with Disabilities within the Association has increased.

2005

2005 ABA President-elect Michael S. Greco presents Paul G. Hearne Award to the Honorable Judge Rhonda J. Brown, Review Judge for the Washington State Employment Security Department.

2006

The Mental and Physical Disability Law Reporter celebrates its 30th Anniversary. 

2006

The Commission publishes the Goal IX Report. 

2006

The Commission hosts in conjunction with the ABA Office of the President, and other donors the 1st National Conference on Employment of Lawyers with Disabilities.

2006

2006 ABA President Michael S. Greco presents Paul G. Hearne Award to the Louise A. McKown, Public Awareness and Systems Change Advocate and Analyst for the East Tennessee Technology Access Center (ETTAC).

2006

The Commission holds Annual Meeting Presidential CLE program entitled “Effectively Representing Defendants with Disabilities.”

2007

The Commission publishes the Goal IX Report.    

2007

The Commission publishes the Mental Disability Law, Evidence and Testimony:  A Comprehensive Reference Manual for Lawyers, Judges and Mental Disability Professionals

2007

The Commission supports ABA amicus brief in U.S. Supreme Court case Panetti v. Quarterman to see if the Eighth Amendment permits the execution of a death row inmate who is factually aware of the reason for his execution but, due to severe mental illness, has a delusional belief as to why the state is executing him.