Disabling Barriers Scotland

purposes

Disabling Barriers Scotland ("DBS") is a young start-up charity which focusses on assisting aspiring solicitors with a disability to gain access to the legal sector, remove obstacles faced by lawyers with disabilities throughout their legal careers, and celebrate the successful careers of lawyers with disabilities. It does so by providing corporate membership services with a view of raising awareness within the legal sector, by providing a forum of discussion among members of the legal profession on current issues, and by hosting public educational events that foster knowledge and inclusion.

OBJECTIVES

DBS’s charitable objectives as stated in its constitution are:

• The promotion of equality and diversity through:

  • creating a network of solicitors and legal students with a disability or health condition. We provide a group setting offering peer to peer support through discussion, practical advice and guidance and awareness raising;

  • providing an anonymous point of contact to raise issues regarding work related difficulties and to offer assistance or advice where possible;

  • hosting round table discussions focusing on sharing ideas on best practice.

• The advancement of citizenship and community development, by:

  • promoting civic responsibility and advocating for the removal of barriers that may exclude a person with a disability or health condition from entering or sustaining a career within the Scottish legal profession.

• The advancement of education, through:

  • hosting events to discuss how particular health conditions and disabilities can be managed within the workplace;

  • supporting school, college and university students with disabilities or health conditions through their education and into a successful legal career.

trustees

• Fraser Mackay

• Thomas McGovern

• Ciaran Clarke

• Alan Sinclair

• Matthew Simpson

• Dr Rachel Wallace

further information and website

If you would like to know more about Disabling Barriers Scotland’s work, please contact Sophie Mills WS.

You can find DBS’s website here.