The International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2024 focuses on the theme: ‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.’

The disAbility Legal Network 

The Law Society is a proud ally of the disAbility Legal Network (dLN).  Since pledging at the beginning of this year, we are underlining our commitment to increasing disability awareness, embrace inclusive and accessible workplaces and facilitate opportunities for networking.  

Spotlighting the work of dLN, today on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and every day, promotes the incredible work for people with disabilities across the legal profession in collaboration with many allies and members.  

• For more information, resources, or to sign the pledge form, visit the disAbility Legal Network. 

The legal sector has work to do to create a more inclusive profession, and it is vital legal workplaces empower persons with disabilities to help actively shape education and employment within the Irish legal industry, to foster change within it and make it a more accessible profession.  

Breaking Down Barriers Report 

The Legal Service Regulatory Authority (LSRA) recently published a series of reports regarding the barriers facing aspiring legal professionals. These highlight that those with a disability are two and a half times more likely to have experienced discrimination in the barrister profession. While in the solicitor profession almost one in five experienced discrimination in the same timeframe.  

• Read the LSRA Reports in full.  

The dLN was one of a number of stakeholders in the legal profession that contributed to the LSRA consultation process.  

• Read the submission of the dLN in full. 

The Employment Equality Act 

Steps are being taken to ensure increased inclusion across the workforce. The Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 oblige employers to make reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. An employer must take appropriate measures  to meet the needs of disabled people in the workforce and enable a person who has a disability to have equal opportunities when applying for work and for promotion, be treated the same as co-workers and undertake training. 

• Disability and reasonable accommodation.  

Further training and resources 

Law Society Skillnet in collaboration with Law Society Psychological Services provides a complimentary series of training activities from expert speakers across an array of topics. These include insights from neurodiversity expert Mark Scully and Stephen Kelly, Managing Director at Ability Focus, on disability awareness. There are CPD hours available for many of these courses. 

• Access the Professional Wellbeing Hub