Legal Education
About 1 in 5 law students have a disability, new survey finds
A survey released this week from Indiana University found that among U.S. law students, about 20% reported that they have a disability of some kind—ranging from mental health conditions to physical disabilities—and often feel unsupported.
A survey released this week from Indiana University found that among U.S. law students, about 20% reported that they have a disability of some kind—ranging from mental health conditions to physical disabilities—and often feel unsupported.
The Law School Survey of Student Engagement’s 2025 annual report, Disability in Law School, said this is the “first comprehensive look at disability among law students.”
Among the survey highlights:
• Mental health and developmental disabilities are most common: 57% of disabled students reported anxiety, 55% reported attention deficit disorder/attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and 41% reported depression.
• Among students with disabilities, 83% have at least one mental health or developmental condition; 37% have a chronic condition, learning disability or other listed condition.
• Twelve percent of disabled students reported a physical disability, and 5% have a sensory disability, with many experiencing more than one type of condition.
• While 88% of all students say their law school emphasizes academic effort, only 62% of disabled students think that their school provides strong academic support (vs. 70% of nondisabled students).
• Forty-seven percent of disabled students reported robust job search assistance, compared to 53% of nondisabled students.
• Only 27% of students with disabilities think that their school supports their social well-being, and only 23% said their school helps them manage outside responsibilities like work and family.
“Law students with disabilities do so much on their own—preparing for class, contributing to discussions, joining and leading student organizations and other activities at the highest levels,” said Meera E. Deo, the director of the Law School Survey of Student Engagement, which is part of the Center for Postsecondary Research at Indiana University. “But they are missing necessary institutional support. Law schools should meet them at least halfway, providing them with the structural tools they need to thrive.”
According to the survey, disabled students invest considerable time and effort in their legal education but have meaningful disparities when compared to their nondisabled classmates. The annual report called on law schools to strengthen accessibility and support systems that promote the success of all students.
The survey collected responses from more than 11,700 law students at 64 law schools.
The full report is available here.
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