LSAC Celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Today, December 3, is the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The U.N. has marked this occasion since 1992, and the goal of the observance is to “promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.” That goal is at the core of our mission at LSAC, where we’ve worked hard to help people with disabilities enter the legal profession and add their diverse voices to our justice system.
For example, the new digital version of the LSAT, which we rolled out this year, has numerous features intended to make it more accessible for people with vision impairments. Those features include the ability to change the font size, line spacing, and brightness; color filters for those sensitive to certain colors; and high-contrast text that is easy to read.
Additionally, the writing section of the test now is separate from the multiple-choice portion of the LSAT and is administered via secure proctoring software on the test taker’s own computer. LSAT Writing includes a font magnifier, a screen reader, and speech-to-text compatibility; it also allows each test taker to use their own accessibility peripherals and software, if needed.
LSAC remains committed to accommodating test takers with disabilities. Such accommodations could include a Braille version of the test, approval to take the multiple-choice portion electronically using the test taker’s own computer equipment (such as text-to-speech, magnification, or other software), or other techniques. For more information, visit LSAC’s accommodations policy.
We know that people with disabilities have much to offer our legal system. As I’ve often said, the justice system functions best when it reflects the people and communities it serves, and those with disabilities need people like them, who understand their challenges and needs, to help them through the legal process. Although we pause today to observe this important day, LSAC is dedicated to helping people with disabilities every day of the year, because we know their voices are key to our overall goal of increasing access to justice — and building a more just and prosperous world.
