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Dear Advocates,
A short while ago we asked for your support on the final stages of having discriminatory questions removed from the Washington State bar application.
Today we learned of a victory which is a step forward in ending the stigma of mental health issues. The Washington State Supreme Court adopted the Character & Fitness amendments
that were recommended. The amendments will be effective September 1, 2016. The amended admissions application will also be in use beginning September 1st - just in time for the Winter 2017 bar exam applicants.
Here is some background on the issue: In 2014, Disability Rights Washington began working on this critical issue and enlisted your support. Dozens of leaders including Attorney General Ferguson and the deans of all three law schools in Washington
signed a letter (PDF) to end that discriminatory practice. The letter was a huge success! The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Board of Governors agreed to eliminate all questions about bar applicants' mental health status and issued a proposal that
we helped to draft. The final step was to secure approval from the Washington State Supreme Court.
We launched a video and several more dozens of advocates signed that letter asking the Supreme Court to approve of these changes. And today we can announce that success!
We thank you for your support and efforts to have these questions removed. It wouldn't have happened without you! A special thank you to our Creative Team, all that appeared
in the Questions of Discrimination video, the law schools, and to DRW's own Emily Cooper for her tireless advocacy on this issue.
Washington State is now a leader in ensuring the diversity of the legal community reflects the clients it serves. We hope this leadership serves as a model to change these rules
across the country.
Thank you for your support,
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Mark Stroh
Executive Director
Disability Rights Washington
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