I. Stephanie Boyce
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce is encouraging her disabled colleagues to share their stories and experiences.

Solicitors in England and Wales will celebrate Disability History Month by sharing the perspectives of disabled legal professionals, highlighting their experiences, achievements and challenges and raising awareness of disability rights, equality and inclusion.

Disability History takes place from 18 November to 18 December and is now in its 12th year.

Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “We will be sharing stories of issues affecting disabled legal professionals throughout November and December.

‘I wholeheartedly encourage my disabled colleagues to share their stories and experiences so we can celebrate their achievements and raise awareness of the challenges they face.

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“It is almost two years since we launched the Legally Disabled? research report on the career experiences of disabled people with Cardiff Business School and a year since we published follow up research on disabled lawyers’ experiences during the pandemic.

“Based on the research, we developed some easy wins and action points for disability inclusion in firms with our Lawyers with Disabilities Division, which included questions to get discussions going and starting points for further work.

“The Legally Disabled? report found clear evidence that disability has been largely overlooked when it comes to improving diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the solicitors’ profession.

“In response to this, we have published reasonable adjustments guidance for firms and organisations to help them recruit and employ disabled staff. The aim is to improve awareness of the legal requirement and to give practical ideas on how best to implement adjustments, challenging assumptions on what is possible.

“It is important for employers to approach discussions with their disabled employees positively and constructively. The Legally Disabled? research highlighted how stressful and demoralising it is for disabled people within the legal profession constantly to have to ask for and justify the adjustments they need.

“The conversation is still continuing around the experiences of our disabled colleagues and I am bringing together leaders of various organisations to check what they’ve done since the Legally Disabled? research was published.

“I very much look forward to celebrating Disability History Month and I look forward to hearing the stories of my disabled colleagues in the profession.”

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