Disability Awareness Month - Sally Allen

1. How do you feel your disability has affected your path into your role?

As I was diagnosed with my condition quite suddenly and not in the usual way, this caused quite the disruption in terms of life and my studies. I had to leave my university at the time, just before second-year law exams! Due to recovering from emergency surgery, I chose to transfer universities to be closer to home. This therefore required me to re-do my second year and accommodate to a new learning environment. Despite the chaos and upset of my health-scare, the experience definitely strengthened my resilience and I would not be the same person without it.

2. Do you feel there is a difference in accessibility for those with disabilities now compared to when you were starting out?

So as mentioned, I only had my health-scare resulting in a disability, 3 years ago. I have subsequently become more aware of institutional issues surrounding disability accessibility. During the past 3-years I have noticed an increase in awareness of visible and non-visible disabilities which is a great improvement. There are many D&I movements, schemes and events created to increase diversity in the law profession and to enable future lawyers and generally young diverse people with disabilities or neuro divergences to access the profession.

3. What advice would you give other people with disabilities who are thinking of a career in law?

My advice would be to believe you can achieve as much, if not more, because of your disability. For some reason, society’s expectation and view of disabilities are stereotypical and it can lead to those experiencing health issues to believe that they are less able to achieve their academic/career goals. I completely disagree. Those experiencing health scares, having to adapt to a new way of life, accessing society from a different angle due to physical or mental disabilities, means that we naturally have a heightened level of resilience, problem-solving skills, and sympathy. Correct me if I’m wrong but these are many characteristics of a great lawyer.

4. What difference do you feel working with Biscoes has for you as someone with a disability?

Working at Biscoes, I feel no different having a disability. I feel valued and appreciated for my academic skills and do not feel held back because of my disability. The HR team and supervisors I am in contact with, provide great support and I believe should I experience any future problems, they will be a great system to support me whilst at work.

5. Is there anything we can do more as a firm to make things more accessible for you?

I cannot think of anything further Biscoes can do to make things more accessible for me personally. As my disability is non-visible and I only require small adjustments, there may be some further adjustments someone else with a different disability could suggest!