On Tuesday, Dec. 3, during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Law Society of Alberta hosted a webinar about what employers and lawyers can do to better accommodate colleagues and clients with disabilities.

The webinar began with a presentation by David Lepofsky, a retired lawyer who chairs the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance. David focused his remarks on how systemic strategies in Ontario have advanced accommodations for persons with disabilities. He also discussed recurring barriers that need to be fixed and offered action-oriented solutions.

Following the opening address, there was a panel discussion, led by moderator and human rights lawyer Roxanne Davis, KC, QArb. She was joined by two lawyers with disabilities:

• Bob Fenton, KC, Director of Legal Services for the Calgary Police Service and Chair of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Board of Directors; and,
• Taylor Grantham, a litigation lawyer practising in commercial and family litigation.

The panel discussed the value of creating respectful environments within law firms and organizations to have open and honest conversations about accessibility for lawyers and clients with disabilities.

They discussed the different realities of persons with disabilities, common barriers faced in the practice of law and how accommodations must take each unique person’s circumstances into account. The panel tackled the misconception of disability being tied to incompetence and explored the tension that often exists when delegating legal work to lawyers with disabilities. They also provided tips and strategies for lawyers with disabilities to be set up for a successful legal career.

Resource List – Accessibility in the Legal Profession Webinar

Automated Zoom Webinar Transcript