The Sidebar

• Publication year: 2023
• Pages: 14

THE SIDEBAR No. Vol. 52, No. 7 [Page 14] Colorado Bar Journal September, 2023

DEPARTMENT

Introducing the Colorado Disability Bar Association

BY GABRIEL KALOUSEK

We, the Colorado Disability Bar Association (CDBA), are here for you. To the attorney with hearing loss who is denied a request asking to have court participants talk into a microphone. To the juror who is dismissed due to an ADHD diagnosis, despite indicating a willingness to serve if she could just take notes. To the law clerk who has difficulty working onsite due to depression. To the law student with a churning stomach and constantly intruding "what if" thoughts. To the parents who do not understand why their 2-year-old is not speaking or interacting with other children. To the professional who is asked to speak about disabilities, but at an inaccessible forum. To the legal professional who wants to learn how to be inclusive to those with disabilities. We are here for you.

The CDBA is a new specialty bar in Colorado. It is the brainchild of two current Colorado judges: Judge Anita Schutte of Colorado's 2nd Judicial District and Judge Sueanna Johnson of the Colorado Court of Appeals. Both have disabilities: Judge Schutte has bilateral hearing loss and Judge Johnson is visually impaired. Both experienced challenges practicing law in the Colorado courts. And, as a result of these challenges, both wanted to create a specialty bar that represents the interests of individuals with physical and mental disabilities. The CDBA does just that. It also serves as a resource for allies of those with disabilities and community members who interact with the Colorado court system.

Prevalence of Disability in the United States

In 2020 alone, about 21% of US adults experienced mental illness.^[1] That is about 52.9 million adults. "Often, people avoid or delay seeking treatment due to concerns about being treated differently or fears of losing their jobs and livelihood. That's because stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people with mental illness is still very much a problem."^[2] Some have described the consequences of mental health stigma as "worse than those of the condition itself."^[3]

In 2023, 12.1% of US adults describe themselves as having a mobility disability.^[4]"[M]obility disability is nearly five times as common among middle-aged (45- to 64-year-old) adults living below the poverty level compared to those whose income is twice the poverty level."^[5]...