7416. Clinic: Disability Rights

Students in this clinic will provide legal advocacy, under the supervision of lawyers at Disability Rights Connecticut (DRCT), for people with disabilities throughout Connecticut on a broad range of disability law issues. These issues include disability discrimination in housing, employment, services and activities provided by governmental entities, and public accommodations; access to healthcare; individual rights; civil and criminal mental health law; abuse and neglect; special education; and others. DRCT’s legal work includes both individual client representation and systemic-reform advocacy. Students will also participate in a weekly seminar in which they will receive training in substantive disability law as well as advocacy skills needed to represent people with disabilities. These skills include client interviewing and counseling; legal research; legal writing; civil litigation; and alternative dispute resolution. Students will also learn to incorporate principles of diversity, equity and inclusion in their legal representation of clients with disabilities, and to identify and resolve potential ethical issues that may arise in the course of representing such clients. This clinic is structured to accommodate evening division students, but some optional activities may require daytime availability. Registration is by instructor permission only.