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Final conference programme

front of the British Academy building

Information for attendees

We look forward to welcoming you to our conference. Please see below for the full agenda, details regarding access and directions and images of the venue and facilities.

Please contact Natasha Hirst on HirstN2@cardiff.ac.uk for further information or press queries.

If you can no longer attend the conference please let us know so that we can reallocate tickets to those on the waiting list. If you would like to be added to the waiting list please select the appropriate ticket here:

https://legallydisabled.eventbrite.co.uk/

On the day please approach the organisers if you have any queries or access requirements and we will be happy to support you. Registration opens at 9.30am with tea and coffee and conference speeches will start at 10.15am.

There are seven steps at the entrance to the building or press the bell for staff to assist you with operating the lift.

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IP Inclusive launches IP Ability

IP Inclusive will be launching its new network, IP Ability at an informal roundtable event. Follow the link below to find out more. We are delighted to join everyone at the event to give an insight into some of the findings from our research.

“Scheduled to coincide with the UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2019, this event is being kindly hosted by AA Thornton at their offices at 10 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7NG. The main event will be from 6 to 7 pm, with registration from 5.30 pm and drinks and nibbles for those who’d like to stay on and chat for a while afterwards.”

IP Ability: informal launch gathering

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Launch of Barristers’ questionnaire

screenshot of the questionnaire for disabled barristers

Are you a disabled person, or someone with a long-term medical condition working in, aspiring to work in (e.g. in training), or retired from the Bar? If so, this research is for you.

We are pleased to launch the next stage of the research with a questionnaire for disabled people training for or working as Barristers. This also includes those who have since left these roles in the profession.

Click here to fill in the survey for barristers.

Update: the extended deadline for responses is 23rd July 2019.

A separate questionnaire for solicitors and paralegals is also available. This is due to the different qualification routes and workplace experiences.

If it is more appropriate to fill in the questionnaire for solicitors and paralegals please click here. If you are unsure as to which is best suited for you, please contact Dr Natasha Hirst on HirstN2@cardiff.ac.uk

The purpose of the research is to produce the first large scale evidence base on the career experiences of disabled people across the legal profession. This will build on and quantify the evidence obtained from one to one interviews.

 

We anticipate that it will take approximately 20 to 25 minutes to complete the questionnaire. It can also be saved part way and finished off later. You have the option to skip questions or answer ‘not applicable’ as appropriate to you.

If you have any queries or require the questionnaire in a word document or other accessible format please get in touch with Dr Natasha Hirst on HirstN2@cardiff.ac.uk

Please note that both researchers are part-time on the project and will respond as soon as possible to any queries.

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Revised research timetable

Legally Disabled project secures further funding

We are very pleased to announce that we have secured further funding from Cardiff University that will enable us to extend the timescale and activities of the Legally Disabled research project.

This will enable us to do more work around disseminating the research and engaging with organisations across the legal profession to ensure that our findings and recommendations have greater impact.

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Top tips for disabled pupillage applicants

A row of people with paperwork on their laps

With thanks to Isabel Baylis for this guest blog. Isabel is the Equality and Diversity Manager at Matrix Chambers.

An expert panel of barristers and recruiters with disabilities came together to answer questions and offer advice to disabled applicants at the Bar Council’s ‘Applicants with a Disability’ Seminar at the National Pupillage Fair on 27th October 2018.

Below are their top tips in response to questions asked by an audience of disabled law students:

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Your opportunity to make a difference!

Actively seeking to interview disabled legal professionals from diverse groups, barristers and people in Wales.

We have been delighted with the support and interest in our research and are hugely grateful to everyone who has contributed so far.

There are still a few opportunities left to do one to one interviews about your experiences of working in the legal profession or seeking work. All interviews remain confidential.

We include people who are disabled and/or have a long-term health condition and we are especially keen to hear from more barristers, people working in Wales and anyone from other diverse groups such as BAME, LGBTQ.

This is your opportunity to influence a positive change in the legal profession to create a more inclusive and accessible sector for disabled people.

Please get in touch with any queries you may have on:

info@legallydisabled.com

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The Lawyers with Disabilities Division

Introducing our key partner

We have added a new page to our website that gives you an overview of the work of our key partner, the Lawyers with Disabilities Division.

Take a look to find out who they are, what they do and how you can become a member.

Upcoming event

There will be a mini-conference on 21st November starting at 5.30pm until 8 pm at the Law Society, covering invisible disabilities. Members of the LDD committee in practice, will talk about how they qualified and work successfully with impairments.

Lawyers with Disabilities Division has a Facebook page which posts updates on LDD events, funding and work opportunities, general legal news and current disability issues.

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Association of Disabled Lawyers launches!

People networking in a large reception area

New network welcomes all disabled lawyers and students

The Association will include disabled lawyers and lawyers with mental health experiences and/or who have a long-term health condition. This includes anyone studying or practicing law.

After becoming involved with the “Legally Disabled?” research project, aspiring Barrister Daniel Holt recognised a need for an inclusive network for all disabled lawyers from different areas of the profession.

Daniel said, “The Association will exist to create a community and network for disabled lawyers. We want to make it known that you can practice law and be a disabled person. There are many obstacles that make entering the legal professions and maintaining a career difficult.

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“Significant barriers for disabled legal professionals”

a dictaphone and pen sits on a spiral bound notepad

“Legally Disabled?” finds significant barriers for disabled legal professionals

Press release 5th June 2018

Professor Debbie Foster of Cardiff University Business School and independent researcher Dr Natasha Hirst are conducting groundbreaking research into the experiences of disabled people in the legal profession. The independent research is funded by DRILL (Disability Research into Independent Living and Learning), which delivers the world’s first major research programme led by disabled people.

Key Findings:

Initial findings from focus groups of disabled legal professionals highlight a mixed bag of experiences:

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