*/
Bringing [Dis]Ability to the Bar (BDABar) is an organisation led by and for disabled aspiring barristers. This group aims to increase access, diversity, and inclusion at the Bar and to raise awareness about disabilities. In July 2022, BDABar launched its Two-Way Mentorship Scheme in a hybrid event hosted at the Inner Temple, which recorded 110 registered attendees.
The Two-Way Mentorship Scheme has two main objectives. First and foremost, this programme improves access to practising barristers for aspiring disabled barristers in order to facilitate insight into the profession as well as guidance in their pursuit of a career at the Bar. Secondly, BDABar will give the opportunity for barristers, and their Chambers or employers, to gain insight into the numerous challenges that disabled individuals may face in the course of joining the Bar. While the mentees have discretion on whether to share their lived experience with their mentors, BDABar hopes that engagement with the scheme will improve the profession’s knowledge of disabilities through training.
Mentees are between their first year of their undergraduate degree up through pupillage and they must identify as disabled. Each mentor is paired with up to two mentees. The scheme is in operation from 1 August 2022 and will end on 1 June 2023, when BDABar will open applications for the next intake of participants.
Through this programme, BDABar hopes to build a dialogue about disabilities, accessibility, and reasonable adjustments as well as an evaluation of the support currently available at the Bar for disabled individuals. Where support is lacking, mentors and their chambers or employers may learn how to better engage with not only disabled aspiring barristers but the disabled community more generally. Together, we can break down barriers in the journey towards the Bar.
Bringing [Dis]Ability to the Bar (BDABar) is an organisation led by and for disabled aspiring barristers. This group aims to increase access, diversity, and inclusion at the Bar and to raise awareness about disabilities. In July 2022, BDABar launched its Two-Way Mentorship Scheme in a hybrid event hosted at the Inner Temple, which recorded 110 registered attendees.
The Two-Way Mentorship Scheme has two main objectives. First and foremost, this programme improves access to practising barristers for aspiring disabled barristers in order to facilitate insight into the profession as well as guidance in their pursuit of a career at the Bar. Secondly, BDABar will give the opportunity for barristers, and their Chambers or employers, to gain insight into the numerous challenges that disabled individuals may face in the course of joining the Bar. While the mentees have discretion on whether to share their lived experience with their mentors, BDABar hopes that engagement with the scheme will improve the profession’s knowledge of disabilities through training.
Mentees are between their first year of their undergraduate degree up through pupillage and they must identify as disabled. Each mentor is paired with up to two mentees. The scheme is in operation from 1 August 2022 and will end on 1 June 2023, when BDABar will open applications for the next intake of participants.
Through this programme, BDABar hopes to build a dialogue about disabilities, accessibility, and reasonable adjustments as well as an evaluation of the support currently available at the Bar for disabled individuals. Where support is lacking, mentors and their chambers or employers may learn how to better engage with not only disabled aspiring barristers but the disabled community more generally. Together, we can break down barriers in the journey towards the Bar.
Chair of the Bar Sam Townend KC highlights some of the key achievements at the Bar Council this year
Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management highlights some of the ways you can cut your IHT bill
Rachel Davenport breaks down everything you need to know about AlphaBiolabs’ industry-leading laboratory testing services for legal matters
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management sets out the key steps to your dream property
A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
By Kem Kemal of Henry Dannell
Professor Dominic Regan and Seán Jones KC identify good value bottles across the price spectrum – from festive fizz to reliable reds
Joanna Hardy-Susskind speaks to those walking away from the criminal Bar
Imposing a professional obligation to act in a way that advances equality, diversity and inclusion is the wrong way to achieve this ambition, says Nick Vineall KC
Tom Cosgrove KC looks at the government’s radical planning reform and the opportunities and challenges ahead for practitioners
By Ashley Friday of AlphaBiolabs
