Documentary 'Questions of Discrimination' Examines Screening for Mental Health Disabilities
May 22, 2014
http://www.disabilityrightswa.org/questions-discrimination
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"No one should be forced to choose
between the ability to practice law
and their rights to privacy
and to be free from discrimination."
Everyone who wants to be an attorney in Washington State has to answer two "character and fitness" questions that screen for mental health disabilities. The first requires all applicants to disclose if they have "experienced, been diagnosed with, or undergone treatment" for any mental health condition in the past five years, and speculate whether their mental health disability could impact the ability to practice law. The second requires disclosure if the applicant has the "fitness to practice law" based on a definition of "fitness" that includes the "absence of any current mental impairment." If an applicant answers "yes" to either of these questions, they are required to fill out a form sharing private and protected health information.
The documentary "Questions of Discrimination" portrays national and state disability advocates discussing the impact these questions have on applicants and diversity in the legal profession.
View the video below or at the URL above.
Learn more about the documentary and project at the URL above.
Read about the documentary and project via the PDF at right.
Disability Rights Washington (DRW) is a private non-profit organization that protects the rights of people with disabilities statewide. Our mission is to advance the dignity, equality, and self-determination of people with disabilities. We work to pursue justice on matters related to human and legal rights.
