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ABA Division for Public Services

Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law

Mission:

Since 1973, the Commission has been the primary entity within the American Bar Association focusing on the law-related concerns of persons with mental and physical disabilities. Its mission is "to promote the 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. The Commission is composed of lawyers and other professionals, many of whom have disabilities.

Each year the Commission surveys Association entities to evaluate the progress the ABA has made in promoting lawyers with disabilities to leadership positions and issues a report with findings and recommendations. In addition, the Commission's Subcommittee on Lawyers with Disabilities addresses the concerns of lawyers and law students with disabilities. Also each year the ABA, through the Commission, presents the Paul G. Hearne Award for disability rights.

Since 1976, the Commission has published the Mental and Physical Disability Law Reporter, which is the leading disability law periodical in the field. In addition, the Commission has a number of other publications, products, and services that are described below.

Other major activities include the development of ABA policy positions and model laws; research services; monographs; a newsletter; autoBOOK: ADA Disability Law Software; and special projects dealing with such subjects as AIDS, guardianship, civil commitment, life services planning, and developmentally disabled offenders, among others.

Products, Services and Publications:

  • Mental and Physical Disability Law Products and Services Catalog, brochure describing the Commission's publications and legal research services. Available on request.
  • Mental and Physical Disability Law Reporter, the leading journal and reporting service in the disability law field. Subscription prices: Organization/Foreign: $374; Individuals: $314. The Reporter subscription includes free access to two online web boards that provide special alerts between issues and the Reporter itself in an electronic format.
  • Civil Handbook on Psychiatric and Psychological Evidence and Testimony (Sept. 2001) $60
  • Criminal Handbook on Psychiatric and Psychological Evidence and Testimony (Sept. 2000) $60
    Purchase both the Civil and Criminal Handbooks for $90
  • ADA Mediation Guidelines (2001) $8
  • Disability Law and Policy: A Collective Vision (Monograph) $15
  • Mental Disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act (2d ed. 1997) $25
  • ADA: A Practitioner's Guide to Implementation (1996) $20
  • Legal Research Services, brochure describing electronic and staff-assisted legal research services. Available on request.
  • AIDS/HIV and Confidentiality: Model Policy and Procedures. 1989. $25
  • Guardianship Monitoring and Enforcement. 1991. $20
  • Into the Jury Box: A Disability Accommodation Guide for State Courts. 1994. $15
  • Involuntary Civil Commitment: A Training Manual for Lawyers and Judges. 1988. $15
  • Mental Disability Law: A Primer. 1995. $15
  • Opening the Courthouse Door: An ADA Access Guide for State Courts. 1992. $12

For a complete listing of publications and further information on the Commission, visit their Web pages or call 202/662-1571.