The Disability Law Center, a non-profit public interest law organization and the designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, seeks a rising 3L law student or recent graduate who is interested in applying for a Skadden, Equal Justice Works, Justice Catalyst, or other post-graduate legal fellowship to begin in September 2023 working at the intersection of disability and racial justice advocacy.
Possible project proposals might include legal advocacy challenging:
- Disproportionate use of restraint and timeout rooms on students of color in public school settings;
- Use of “race corrections” in clinical diagnostic tools that disadvantage Black, Latinx, and other nonwhite patients, as identified by the provider, while seeking and receiving medical treatment;
- Disparate treatment of individuals from marginalized communities in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, prisons, jails, community residences, and other institutional or congregate care settings;
- Disproportionate use of restraints on people of color in emergency departments and psychiatric hospitals; and
- Disproportionate use of anti-psychotic medication on people of color residing in nursing facilities.
- The Racial Justice / Disability Justice Fellow’s work may consist of individual representation, civil litigation, systemic and policy advocacy, community training, or some combination of all of these components of DLC’s work.
About DLC:
DLC’s core mission is to provide legal advocacy on disability issues that promote the fundamental rights of all people with disabilities to participate fully and equally in the social and economic life of Massachusetts. DLC fulfills its mission through a combination of the following: monitoring and investigating places where persons with disabilities live or receive services; individual representation and advocacy; legislative and administrative advocacy; and individual and class action impact litigation.
DLC practices in the areas of civil rights (housing, employment, places of accommodation and voting rights); health and benefits; governmental services; assistive technology; financial exploitation; rights of people in the mental health system; and rights of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, among other areas.
More information about DLC may be found at www.dlc-ma.org. Information about the Protection and Advocacy system may be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3vYxSe3s4M DLC is a statewide organization with offices in Boston and Northampton. We are seeking a Racial Justice / Disability Justice Fellow for the Boston office, under a hybrid (in person and remote) work schedule.
Diversity and Inclusion Mission Statement:
DLC is committed to protecting the fundamental human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy and excellent representation. In fulfilling our mission, DLC is committed to fostering diversity at all levels of the agency. We are dedicated to understanding our clients’ diverse circumstances and meeting their needs as well as maintaining an inclusive environment that supports success and the well-being of all of our staff.
Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer:
The Disability Law Center values diversity of culture, disability, and other life experiences, and is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer by choice. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information (including family medical history), military service, veteran status, age, citizenship, disability, marital status, or status as a parent/guardian. We endorse and support the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are applicants or employees who need accommodations.
If you require a reasonable accommodation for applying for this fellowship, interviewing, or otherwise participating in our selection process, please contact Amanda Gasparonis via email at agasparonis@dlc-ma.org.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- JD anticipated by May 2023 or recent law graduate eligible for fellowship applications covering September, 2023 through August, 2024.
- Experience in public interest law, social justice issues, disability and/or racial justice advocacy required.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please submit a resume and cover letter (including a brief description of the proposed topic of your fellowship and your proposed funding source(s)) below.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.