If you are in the legal profession you may have already seen this article. The article explains for those of you who may not have been following the development of the SQE in great detail (and even those of us who have) that frustratingly there are still barriers in place for disabled people.
LDD chair Jane Burton, who is also a member of the SRA’s SQE reference group, told the Gazette: ‘The SQE was hailed as an exam that would improve diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, but seemingly that is only if you are not a disabled candidate who uses assistive technology to sit exams.’
I continue to be shocked that after years of the Law Society and Law Society LDD working with the SRA on this — the SRA and Kaplan still can’t get it right.
Exams are stressful enough, without being barred from using specific and familiar assistive technology products that you use on a regular basis.
I am not visually impaired, so I cannot speak specifically to this. As a hard of hearing lawyer I do understand the importance of reasonable adjustments being tailored for the individual.
While the provision of amanuensis is one solution and it is great that they will be qualified solicitors (I know from personal experience having a non-lawyer support you can be even more difficult as they are not familiar with legal terms) this proposed solution does not take into account that everyone’s needs are different and that different candidates need different reasonable adjustments have an equal opportunity to sit an exam. The solution should be something that an individual wants and is comfortable with/used to using, ideally having used in previous exams and genuinely helps complete an exam on an equal footing.
Taking an exam in an unfamiliar, stressful or tiring situation is not the same opportunity.
LDD is seeking feedback from people who have experience of using assistive technology or an amanuensis – email lawyerswithdisabilities@lawsociety.co.uk
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