Cassidy Comments on Law School Admission Council Disability Settlement

Press Release

Congressman Bill Cassidy applauded the Law School Admission Council's (LSAC) decision to settle the claim that it failed to accommodate exam takers with disabilities. The Justice Department (DOJ) intervened in the legal case against LSAC on behalf of test takers who alleged that the LSAC violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by routinely denying accommodation requests for applicants with disabilities. The LSAC refused to admit their actions were wrong, but believe it is in the best interest of all parties to settle.

A dyslexic individual involved in the case was allegedly denied proper testing accommodations despite his medical documentation and history of receiving accommodations on similar tests like the SAT and AP exams. As co-chairman of the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus, Dr. Cassidy has continuously pushed to educate Members of Congress and advance policies to break down barriers dyslexics often face, like being denied testing accommodations.

Scientific evidence from Drs. Sally & Bennett Shaywitz of the Yale Center for Dyselxia and Creativity show that proper testing accommodations, like extra time or quiet testing rooms, are necessary for students to fully comprehend the testing material and achieve optimal results.

Congressman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) released the following statement:

"Students with dyslexia, or other disabilities, should have every resource available to them so they can reach their full potential. Many of these students are very bright and receive good grades, but they hit roadblocks when refused proper accommodations on tests. Scientific evidence shows that students with dyslexia need extra time to excel. Denial of these facts is wrong. This agreement gives power to parents and students so that they can pursue their dreams and contribute their God given talents to society. I hope the agreement reached sends a clear message that there is no room in education for discrimination."

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