Rights of Persons with Disabilities

• Urges adoption of laws and policies to address the complex problem presented by the large number of adults with mental illness and juveniles with mental or emotional illness or disorders who come into contact with the criminal and juvenile justice systems, and supports increased funding and financing for public mental health systems. Presented by the Criminal Justice Section. Co-sponsored by the Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities, the Young Lawyers Division, the Standing Committee on Substance Abuse, and the Steering Committee on the UNMMET Legal Needs of Children.
  Approved as Revised February 2004

• Recommends that the U. S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and Congress take a series of procedural steps to seek faster and more efficient resolution of veterans’ disability claims. Co-sponsored by the Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities.
  Approved as revised February 2003

• Urges courts to help ensure equal access to justice by making courthouses and court proceedings accessible to individuals with disabilities, including lawyers, judges, jurors, litigants, court employees, witnesses, and others.
  Approved February 2002

• Amends Goal IX of the American Bar Association to promote full and equal participation in the legal profession by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. Jointly presented by the Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law, the Commission on Women in the Profession, the Commission on Opportunities for Minorities in the Profession, Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly, and the Young Lawyers Division. Cosponsored by the Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities.
  Approved as revised February 1999

• Recommends that nominating or investigating bodies consider the privacy interests of judicial nominees or candidates in making character and fitness determinations. Presented by the Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law. Cosponsored by the Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities and the Judicial Division. Related recommendation cosponsored by the Section Withdrawn (8/97).
  Approved as revised February 1998

• Affirms the historic and societal importance of the naturalization process and recommends improvements to ensure its fairness for people with disabilities. Cosponsored with the Coordinating Committee on Immigration Law, the Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law, the Hispanic National Bar Association, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
  Approved August 1997

• Supports reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or enactment of similar legislation. Presented jointly with the Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law. Cosponsored by the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association and the Steering Committee on Unmet Legal Needs of Children.
  Approved February 1996

• Supports action that would educate and allow people with debilitating, chronic, fatal illnesses (i.e., HIV, AIDS) to better plan for long-term care. Presented jointly by the Section of Family Law, the Steering Committee on Unmet Legal Needs of Children, the Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law, and the Chicago Council of Lawyers. Cosponsored by the Young Lawyers Division.
  Approved August 1995

• Supports an international treaty to provide for the rights of disabled persons. Jointly presented with the Section of International Law and Practice.
  Approved August 1989

• Supports federal legislation which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disabilities and seeks to ensure equal opportunity in employment, public accommodations and services. Jointly presented with the Young Lawyers Division.
  Approved as Amended August 1989

• Supports enactment of legislation prohibiting the execution of defendants with mental retardation. Jointly sponsored with the Criminal Justice Section. Related recommendations sponsored by the Section Approved (8/87, 8/88, 8/91, 2/97); Withdrawn (8/76, 8/96); Not Approved (2/77).
  Approved as Amended February 1989

• Condemns crimes of violence, including those based on bias or prejudice of race, religion, sexual orientation or minority status, and urges government officials to focus public attention on this growing national problem.
  Approved August 1987

• Recommends amendment of federal fair housing legislation to enhance the ability of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to resolve housing discrimination complaints through conciliation. Related recommendations sponsored by Section Approved (8/74, 2/80); Withdrawn (8/72).
  Approved August 1987

• Opposes the provision of federal financial assistance for institutions that discriminate in any of their operations on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, age, or disability. Jointly presented with the Section of Litigation.
  Approved February 1986

• Urges amendment of the Standards for the Approval of Law Schools to prohibit discrimination against handicapped persons. Jointly presented with the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, Law Student Division, and Young Lawyers Division.
  Approved February 1986

• Endorses amendments to Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include private clubs that receive a substantial portion of their income from business sources in the definition of public accommodations. Related recommendation jointly sponsored by the Section Approved (8/83).
  Approved February 1982

• Urges the swift and effective implementation of federal laws and regulations codifying the rights of mentally handicapped persons. Jointly presented with the Commission on the Mentally Disabled.
  Approved August 1977

• Supports the rights of physically handicapped individuals to equal employment opportunities.
  Approved August 1977

• Supports legislation to ensure ready and effective access to public buildings and transportation services for all persons, including the physically handicapped.
  Approved August 1976

For more information, please visit the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Homepage.