The Changing World of Mental Disability Law
Mental disability law is one of the most rapidly growing, and least understood, areas of the law. Interpretations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Patients’ Bills of Rights, and of terms such as “dangerousness”, “risk assessment” and “the least restrictive alternative”, are confounding mental health and legal professionals. Issues regarding the civil rights of homeless persons, sexually violent predators, outpatient commitment, and persons committed to institutions are hotly debated in courts and communities alike. All aspects of the criminal law as it applies to persons with mental disabilities are constantly being reinterpreted.  Attorneys representing persons with mental disabilities as well as expert witnesses and advocates must master complex skills.  And the relationship between mental disability law and human rights law--both in the U.S. and around the world--is now being subjected to intense scrutiny.

That's why New York Law School has created the Online Mental Disability Law Program for those professionals who work with, or on the behalf of, persons with mental disabilities.

Designed and taught by world-renowned expert Professor Michael L. Perlin, this array of semester-long courses provides the most up-to-date information and interpretation of the civil, criminal, and constitutional law regarding the rights of persons with mental disabilities, delivered directly to you through the convenience of online learning.

Now New York Law School offers an array of nine online courses: Survey of Mental Disability Law, The Americans with Disabilities Act: Law, Policy and Practice, International Human Rights and Mental Disability Law, Advocacy Skills in Cases Involving Persons with Mental Disabilities: The Roles of Lawyers and Expert Witnesses, Mental Health Issues in Jails and Prisons, Sex Offenders, Therapeutic Jurisprudence, Forensic Reports, the Role of Experts and Forensic Ethics, and Mental Illness, Dangerousness, the Police Power and Risk Assessment.

A Program Designed for Your Learning Style
New York Law School's dynamic evening program has served the "after-work" learner for over a century. Experienced in providing legal education for busy professionals, the School utilizes cutting-edge online learning technologies to enable students to conveniently obtain the knowledge and skills critical to career advancement.

Take Control of Your Future
Unique in its depth and scope, Mental Disability Law will help to enhance your professional status and legal literacy. This program will be an indispensable part of your career if you are a:

• Psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional
  especially those studying for forensic boards and diplomate examinations, and those already serving as expert witnesses.
• Mental health professional in an institutional setting.
• Professional working in a community facility, group home, or advocacy group.
• Lawyer who prosecutes or defends persons with mental disabilities in criminal cases.
• Lawyer who represents persons with mental disabilities in civil cases.
• Lawyer who represents hospitals, governmental entities, or private parties in such cases.
• Court officer or administrator.
• Advocate working on behalf of persons with mental disabilities.

Practical Knowledge That Earns
Expand your practice, or enhance your value to your organization.
Mental health and legal professionals need to understand the complexities of mental disability law and the necessity of staying up-to-date with the latest interpretations of constitutional and statutory rights of persons with mental disabilities. Upon completion of this in-depth program, you will be able to:

• Prevent disputes from rising to the level of litigation.
• Provide more accurate and focused forensic and evaluative reports.
• Evaluate whether institutional, hospital, and clinical policies and practices are constitutionally and statutorily sound.
• Protect your patients, clients, practice, or institution from litigation.

Better represent your clients with mental disabilities in courts, in institutions, and in community settings.

Human Rights Policy
It is the policy of New York Law School not to discriminate in its educational program, admission policies, financial aid programs, employment practices, and other School-sponsored activities because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, national or ethnic origin, age, handicap, or disability.