Problems students face

Background information to problems that students with disabilities may have gaining a Training Contract, Work Placement or job within the legal profession.

1) Selection criteria for training contracts and work placements are often too strict E.g. firm requiring you were captain of a sports team, take part in a wide range of extra curricular activities. (Often disabled students are unable to take part in certain activities, which, if compared against able-bodied students, will fall short).

2) Jobs are not advertised widely. Some law firms target law schools and universities and only advertise on their intranet. This automatically discriminates against many ethnic minority and disabled students who may be less likely to go to that university, as they may not be able to afford to go to the top universities.

3) Forms are difficult to complete / IT problems / no equal opportunities form or space on the form to explain things e.g. why exam grades are low, or there are gaps in work history. Using automatic cut offs for example some firms make you highlight if you have a 2:1 degree. If you say yes you can access the form, if you say no it will not let you fill it out, unless you pretend you have a 2:1.

4) Jobs require unascertainable things - e.g. Driving Licence - (disabled students are able to get taxis etc.)

5) Weighting of exam grades / which university - often used as a first cut off. Students often send in doctor's notes and explain why their grades are not as good as they could have been. Students with disabilities have often studied in very difficult circumstances, were ill at the time of the exam or the exam was presented in such a way they were unable to understand exactly what the questions were asking. This does not mean they are incapable of being a top class lawyer. Many firms discriminate against students on the grounds of A levels / other qualifications without taking into consideration all of the circumstances and without realising they are doing it. Exam performance may be directly related to a disability and therefore rejecting applications on these grounds automatically treats the student less favourably than other applicants on the grounds of disability albeit indirectly.

6) Unqualified non legal staff reviewing applications - may not realise the application was submitted by a disabled candidate. As a result, at first sight, their application may not look as strong, whereas a more experienced reviewer will see the positive things the person can bring to the firm.

7) Students have to decide whether or not to disclose their disability. This is a very difficult question. For some people it is unavoidable as they need to explain the reason for gaps in employment history or low exam marks. Some students do not want to be weeded out at the first review and only disclose their disability at or just before interview.

8) Office facilities - buildings may be designed in such a way that they are not accessible. There are grants and organisations which help to advise companies about these issues but the best person to speak to is the candidate. Everyone is affected by their disability in different ways and they will be aware of the best way to assist them.

9) People prejudices at interview it is human nature to ask questions and may be treat people differently who are not of the same disposition as themselves. Staff can be trained in the best way to interview candidates to make them feel comfortable.

10) Firms worried about how clients may react to a disabled solicitor.

11) Firms worried the person will not keep up with the work or will make mistakes.

12) Firms are worried about the person having to take time off work for hospital appointments etc.

13) Extra cost of making reasonable adjustments - firms are unaware of grants.

14) Problems when people are appointed may include singling out by other staff as they are seen to be getting special treatment.

15) Employees with disabilities may be bullied or feel singled out.

Other considerations:

Students with disabilities are constantly having to justify why they would be the best person for the job. (This can sometimes be soul destroying).

They have to disclose personal details about their health which may be very personal to reassure any would be employer.

Sometimes students may have communications difficulties as a result of their disability. Firms should be aware that in a stressful situation the person may not come across as they mean to. This may also apply to how they express themselves in an application form.