Disability Law

Disability Law is a survey course providing an introduction to areas of domestic law and policy that address the rights, needs, and treatment of persons with disabilities. The course focuses on three major pieces of legislation: the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Fair Housing Act. In addition to addressing such basic principles of disability rights law as the definition of disability and the concept of reasonable accommodation, the course incorporates critical theory from law and related disciplines to explore the politics, experience, and social conception of disability. The underlying philosophy of disability rights law is analyzed. Is the law fair? Is it just? As a policy matter, does current law work? Why or why not? What would be needed to make this area of law work better? What are the costs (both personal and financial) to the various parties? To society? What are the benefits?