Disability Law

This course introduces federal and state laws that address the civil rights, needs, and treatment of persons with disabilities.

The course covers the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Fair Housing Act, along with a brief overview of international disability law, specifically the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The course also incorporates related disciplines addressing the experience, politics and social conception of disability and the intersection of disability with race and class.

Sub-topics include constitutional foundations, basic premises of disability civil rights doctrine, fair employment and housing, mental illness and emerging issues such as genetic discrimination, health care reform and assisted suicide legislation.