The Disability Inclusion Commitments focus on equal treatment, equal opportunity, and equal access—helping organizations turn good intentions into measurable results.
The Disability Inclusion Commitments provide organizations with practical actions to take and learning opportunities to broaden disability inclusion.
First launched in 2023, more than 90 law firms across the US, UK, and Canada implemented one or more of the actions listed. During the pilot, learning opportunities for participating organizations included nine webinars with 30 influential speakers who shared insights on creating more accessible workplaces. The Commitments have now evolved into Disability Inclusion Commitments 2.0, building on early success and powerful momentum.
firms have participated in our Disability Inclusion Commitments initiative.
firms are taking four or more actions towards disability inclusion at their firm.
law firm leaders gathered virtually to exchange insights on creating truly inclusive workplace cultures.
Disability inclusivity is often overlooked or overshadowed in broad organizational diversity efforts. Right now, 22.7% of individuals in the US workforce identify as having a disability, but only 2.54% of lawyers in law firms do.
Diversity Lab is working with its Disability Inclusion Advisory Group to help bridge this gap. Together, we created the Disability Inclusion Commitments, now with 12 actions proven to broaden inclusion for people with disabilities.
The Disability Inclusion Actions:
Establish a disability employee resource group.
Conduct an annual survey for lawyers and business professionals to identify as having a disability.
Create opportunities for everyone in the firm to discuss their ideas and perspectives on inclusive actions and language related to disabilities.
Remove physical barriers for employees, clients, and other constituents to perform their jobs.
Remove digital barriers.
Ensure firm and client events don’t exclude colleagues with disabilities.
Infuse the culture with inclusivity for people with disabilities and reward individuals who do the work.
Increase opportunities to hire disabled people.
Start a disability mentorship program.
Add disability inclusion to the board’s and/or management committee’s agenda.
Create a centralized disability accommodations program.
Leverage legal expertise through disability-focused pro bono work.
Upon signing onto the Commitments, many participating firms pledged to:
These collective efforts are transforming the legal profession into a more accessible and inclusive industry, creating ripple effects that extend to clients, communities, and the broader justice system.
Our sincere gratitude goes to the law firms and legal departments that partnered with us to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all.
Questions? Contact Courtney at courtney@diversitylab.com.
We invite all organizations to take these actions to foster a more inclusive environment for those with apparent and non-apparent disabilities.
