Disabled people could have greater accessibility to the legal profession due to rise in flexible working

An increase in remote and flexible working since the COVID-19 pandemic could make the legal profession more accessible for disabled people, research suggests.

A survey of over 100 disabled lawyers by the Legally Disabled research team based at Cardiff University, in partnership with the Law Society of England and Wales, found working from home during the COVID-19 outbreak enabled the majority of respondents to manage their disability more effectively.

Its results show 70% of those surveyed would prefer to continue working remotely in the long-term.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, many law firms, legal businesses and in-house teams began allowing all staff to work from home – a reasonable adjustment which many disabled lawyers had requested before the pandemic.

One respondent said: “It's easier to work from home, as everyone is doing so, which is useful for me. Because everyone is asking for adjustments, it normalises it for those with disabilities who need them.”

Debbie Foster, lead researcher on the Legally Disabled project and Professor of Employment Relations and Diversity at Cardiff Business School, said: “In most cases, homeworking has given disabled people greater control over how they manage their impairment and working environment. We found many disabled people experienced higher levels of trust and autonomy during lockdown and found training, career development and networking more inclusive and accessible."

The study shows some aspects of remote working did not prove as beneficial. Experiences of remote job interviews and work experience were varied, with many citing technological glitches and the accessibility of online tests as barriers.

Another key issue raised was reasonable adjustments – 19% of respondents found it easy or very easy to request reasonable adjustments during the period surveyed, compared with 18% who indicated they found it difficult or extremely difficult and 17% who did not know what adjustments were available to them.

Only 52% of respondents said they already had reasonable adjustments in place prior to COVID-19.

Interestingly, 9% and 19% disclosed their disability to their current employer and colleagues respectively for the first time during lockdown. Many reported finding colleagues more supportive than employers.

Law Society president David Greene said: “Our research clearly shows that increased remote and flexible working have the potential to make the legal profession more accessible to disabled solicitors. We hope firms will take this into account when making future plans for remote working.

“However, it is concerning to see that 17% of respondents did not know which reasonable adjustments might benefit them. The most commonly requested adjustment which was not provided was disability awareness training for colleagues. Firms and legal businesses should ensure adjustments which seek to change their culture and attitudes – not just physical or remote working adjustments – are considered in their long-term diversity plans.”

The survey ran from the 23rd July to 16th August 2020 and asked 108 respondents questions relevant to their work during the period from lockdown in March of 2020 to July/August of 2020. It was restricted to disabled lawyers in training or employment or actively seeking training and employment, who saw their professional body as The Law Society of England and Wales.