Law Society publishes guidance to support disabled students

To coincide with the start of Disability History Month, the Law Society of England and Wales has published guidance to support disabled students through their studies and in the workplace.

The guidance signposts the available support during the Solicitors Qualifying Exams, at teaching institutions, the recruitment process and in the workplace.

It outlines that education institutions are required to provide reasonable adjustments* for students under the Equality Act, and reminds employers of their responsibility to do similar for employees. Adjustments may include:

• providing materials in a range of formats, with particular emphasis on the value of using the web
• timetabling and room provision to suit students’ requirements
• special arrangements for exams and assignments such as extra time, a scribe or specialist equipment
• employers adapting recruitment processes, such as interviews
• allowing flexibility and part-time working
• reallocating part of a job to another employee

Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “The journey to a legal career can be a daunting experience for many aspiring solicitors. A disabled student faces the additional stress of having to overcome barriers based on assumptions and lack of knowledge.

“Employers are increasingly committed to recruiting candidates than can help shape a dynamic and diverse workforce and are tapping into a massive and often excluded talent pool.

“Since the introduction of the Equality Act 2010, it is unlawful to discriminate against disabled people, including by recruitment and selection procedures.

“The Legally Disabled? research showed that many disabled people felt more included whilst studying than when they moved into work. We hope our guidance will help with that.

“The COVID-19 pandemic – which forced the move to hybrid and remote working – has also helped to improve access for many disabled people and those with caring responsibilities.

“Entry to the solicitors’ profession is open to a wide range of candidates and being disabled does not mean exclusion.

“We hope this guidance will help disabled students have a positive start as they enter the legal profession.”

Notes to editors

Find out about Disability History Month

*Further practical examples and good practice tips can be found via our reasonable adjustments guidance

Read our Becoming a solicitor as a disabled student guidance

Data from the Solicitors Regulation Authority shows that only 5% of lawyers and 5% of other staff in law firms declared they had a disability, compared to 14% of the workforce in the UK. Find out more

Read the Legally Disabled? research

About the Law Society

The Law Society is the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law.

Press office contact: Naomi Jeffreys | 020 8049 3928