Nearly 40% of Berkeley Law Students Registered as Disabled

University records indicate that 378 students at UC Berkeley School of Law are enrolled in the Disabled Students’ Program, representing roughly one-third of total enrollment. Five years earlier, 3% of the university’s graduate students reported a disability. Across the campus, participation in the program rose from 4,153 students in 2020 to 5,711 last year.

Rise in psychological and emotional claims The most common categories are psychological or emotional disorders and ADHD. Physical disability registrations remain far fewer. Requests for proctoring services tied to disability accommodations increased from fewer than 4,000 in 2021-2022 to more than 14,000 in 2024-2025.

Program history and comparisons The program originally focused on physical disabilities. In 1982 the word “physical” was removed from its title to include learning disabilities, according to the university website. Disability status is listed as a diversity classification on the campus Diversity, Equity & Inclusion dashboard.

Similar registration rates have been reported at other institutions, including 38% of students at Stanford University. A graduate of the law school stated that students classified as disabled receive additional time on exams. The same graduate noted that the number of disabled law students now exceeds the number of male law students.

A computer science professor at another West Coast public university said some families use disability status to obtain testing advantages. George Leef of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal said extended time undermines fairness when most law students come from successful academic backgrounds.

Dean of Berkeley Law Erwin Chemerinsky stated that the law school follows applicable law and does not control accommodation decisions.