THE BAZELON CENTER IS COMMITTED TO

ACCESS TO
EDUCATION FOR
ALL CHILDREN

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We believe that all people deserve equal care and protection under the law. Our work in education is mostly based around protecting the rights of students in public schools under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Under these laws, all students — regardless of mental illness or ability — should be able to receive accommodation and education while being integrated into the classroom.

THE BAZELON CENTER IS COMMITTED TO

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

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Having a job, perhaps more than any other factor, enables people with mental illness to lead full lives in their communities. We will continue to strive for workplace and employment equality, so that individuals with disabilities will not be discriminated against while seeking employment and/or once hired.

THE BAZELON CENTER IS COMMITTED TO

ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

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Individuals with mental illness and intellectual disabilities deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, which is why the Bazelon Center works to ensure that individuals at all income levels have access to community-mental health services that will enable them to live and work independently in the community.

THE BAZELON CENTER IS COMMITTED TO

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

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While nearly 18% of the general population have mental illness of some kind, that percentage is disproportionately higher in the prison population. Like people of color, people with disabilities are much more likely to be incarcerated. They are often non-violent offenders, which is why we at the Bazelon Center believe in criminal justice reform to change the way we punish non-violent and first-time offenders. Even people who break the law deserve to be treated fairly by it.

THE BAZELON CENTER FORUM DISCUSSION

OLMSTEAD AT 20

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On Monday, June 24, 2019 the Bazelon Center hosted a forum to discuss and reflect upon 20 years since the landmark court case of Olmstead v. L.C..

Panelists included Eve Hill, Jennifer Matis, Martha Knisely, Vietress Bacon, and Katie Hemmings.

Special thanks to our sponsoring host: BakerHostetler LLP.

See and read about the event here.

Implementing Endrew

ENDREW AMICUS WORK

We filed an amicus brief in Renee J. v. Houston Independent School District, urging the Fifth Circuit to properly apply the “markedly more demanding” standard for free and appropriate public education announced by the Supreme Court in Endrew F.
read more »

CE Bill

TRANSFORMATION TO COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT

In April 2019, we and others sent a letter supporting the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act, which would phase out the use of subminimum wage certificates for people with disabilities and authorize grants to support the development of services to support people with disabilities to secure and maintain competitive integrated employment.
read more »

ADA Guidance

AMICUS BRIEF IN 5th CIRCUIT ACA APPEAL

On April 1, 2019, The Judge David L. Bazelon Center, together with the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) and 13 other national disability rights organizations, filed an amicus brief with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in the Texas v. United States case challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). read more »

BAZELON CENTER AND PARTNERS REACH GROUND-BREAKING SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH STATE OF OHIO IN SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT

A settlement agreement reached in the longstanding Doe v. State of Ohio special education class action lawsuit will improve the academic achievement of students with disabilities, in part by supporting their inclusion in regular classrooms. The settlement is expected over the next five years to improve the state’s support for special education throughout Ohio, as well as create measurable improvements in student performance and inclusion for children with disabilities in 11 of Ohio’s large urban school districts. Disability Rights Ohio (DRO), the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and the law firm Steptoe & Johnson celebrate this agreement and thank Ohio Governor John Kasich, the Ohio Department of Education and the State School Board for their efforts to arrive at this important outcome. Read more about this case here.

A SAMHSA sponsored webinar, developed under contract by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors and presented by The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law and the National Disability Rights Network will take place Friday, August 16, 2019 at 2:00pm Eastern Time called “Best Practices for Employment for People with Serious Mental Illness.”

Presenters:
· Katherine Burson, Independent Consultant
· Susan McGurk, PhD, Professor Occupational Therapy, Boston University
· Cheryl Bates-Harris; Senior Disability Advocacy Specialist, National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)

Get more information and register at this Webinar Link: nasmhpd.adobeconnect.com/bazndrn_reg/event/event_info.html

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact kelle.masten@nasmhpd.org via email or at 703-682-5187. ... See MoreSee Less

Best Practices for Employment for People with Serious Mental Illness

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2 weeks ago ·

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Once again, as on far too many past occasions, our hearts break for the victims of mass violence, their families and friends, and their communities. This time, those communities were El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. In at least one of these incidents, the shooter appears to have acted out of hatred and fear of immigrants.

At the same time, we condemn the efforts of some to conflate hatred, bigotry and racism with mental illness. Reflexively blaming gun violence on people with mental illness is unhelpful and unsupported by evidence. Less than five percent of gun violence is attributable to mental illness. Having a mental health diagnosis is not a predictor of violence, and people with serious mental illnesses are far more likely to be victims of violent crime than perpetrators of it. Casting all mass gun violence as "a mental health issue" is not only unfounded, but distracts from efforts to address the true causes of gun violence. It serves only to promote fear and prejudice against individuals with mental health needs. As the American Psychological Association's president observed, it is important to focus on evidence-based solutions rather than "routinely blaming mass shootings on mental illness."

We stand with those who want effective policy solutions to address gun violence. Falsely blaming mental illness is not such a solution. Hate is not a mental illness. It is time for those of all political persuasions to do better. ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago ·

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ACCESS TO EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

OLMSTEAD AT 20

FEATURED WORK

ENDREW AMICUS WORK

TRANSFORMATION TO COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT

AMICUS BRIEF IN 5th CIRCUIT ACA APPEAL

BAZELON CENTER AND PARTNERS REACH GROUND-BREAKING SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH STATE OF OHIO IN SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT

ACCESS TO
EDUCATION FOR
ALL CHILDREN