This is a survey course of disability rights law, with an emphasis on landmark federal and state legislation and jurisprudence in the areas of employment, government services, public accommodations, education, housing and personal autonomy. It includes a review of such statutes as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the California Lanterman Act.
The course has a "cross-disability" orientation insofar as it addresses the rights and treatment of persons with mobility and communication impairments, as well as developmental and psychiatric disabilities. The course looks at disability from a civil and human rights perspective - rather than from a medical or welfare viewpoint.
Some of the issues to be covered include: the right to refuse treatment, assisted suicide, death penalty for persons with mental retardation, reasonable accommodations, institutional mistreatment, de-institutionalization, social integration, educational equity, peer advocacy and self-determination.