Indiana Disability Rights Law Fellowship accepts applications

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Creating equity in legal work is one of the ideas behind the Indiana Disability Rights Law Fellowship.

Recent law school graduates who have disabilities and a passion for disability rights can start applying now.

The fellowship is a two-year commitment and is part of an ongoing effort to improve access in equity in jobs of all kinds. The Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities and Indiana Disability Rights are behind the program.

People selected will go through training in administrative and judicial proceedings, other legislative work, and also areas that include abuse, neglect prevention, and civil rights enforcement.

The goal is they can eventually go into the community and advocate for other people with disabilities.

Fellowship representatives said, just like in so many other areas, access to fellowships such as this one can be challenging for people with disabilities. This one will take into account all disabilities and make adjustments to ensure they get everything out of the program. So, that goes for people who may have mobility issues, poor eyesight and much more.

“There’s also really a lot of stigma regarding disability. So rather than being afraid, we’re saying hey if you have a disability we want you. We want all that experience. We appreciate your life experience, and we want to put it to good use,” said Emily Munson, Senior Attorney with Indiana Disability Rights.

The fellows selected will get a $50,000 stipend for each year of the program. During that time they’ll have to take the bar exam if they haven’t already passed it.

Applicants have to identify as having a disability and recently graduated from an American Bar Association-approved law school.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 21.