News Release

NCD #98-255
September 16, 1998
Contact: Mark S. Quigley
202-272-2004
202-272-2074 TTY
mquigley@ncd.gov

National Council on Disability Commends Landmark U.S. Court of Appeals Ruling Interpreting the Americans with Disabilities Act

WASHINGTON--The National Council on Disability (NCD) commends the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit for its decision in a landmark case (Bartlett v. NY State Board of Law Examiners, Docket No. 97-9162) interpreting the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The case involved the appeal of a law school graduate, Marilyn Bartlett, who claimed that her learning disability entitled her to extra time and other reasonable accommodations on the New York State bar examination. The Court of Appeals said on Monday, September 14, 1998, when it released the ruling, "Dr. Bartlett is among those for whom Congress provided protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. Reasonable accommodation of this disability will enable her to compete fairly with others in taking the examination...."

According to Marca Bristo, NCD chairperson, "NCD commends the Second Circuit Court of Appeals for recognizing the right of bar applicants with learning disabilities to receive reasonable accommodations that enable them to demonstrate their capabilities fairly to the administrators of the bar exam."

"As the agency that first proposed ADA, NCD applauds the appeals court for its landmark decision that will open up the legal profession to qualified law school graduates with disabilities. This case is a victory for civil rights, for the legal profession, and for all of us who believe in equal opportunity under law."

NCD is an independent federal agency currently coordinating a multi-year study on ADA enforcement for the President and Congress.

For more information, contact NCD general counsel Andrew J. Imparato at 202-272-2112 or public affairs specialist Mark S. Quigley at 202-272-2008.