Under the new regulation, firms with 20 or more employees, including support staff, paralegals, law clerks, and associates, must create documents detailing their policies and have copies available for anyone who wants to see them.

Those documents must include guidelines for accessing legal services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities; ensures they can access the same legal services as others; and provides the same opportunities and benefits as other clients.

According to the new standards, firms must undertake training activities, including providing instructions on how to communicate with people with various types of disabilities and how to interact with those who use assistive devices.

FMC Partner, Christina Hall, shares how FMC is planning to meet the new standards before the deadline of January 1st, 2012.

"At this time, we’re looking to apply the policy standards we’ve created [in Toronto] nationally," says Christina. FMC's policy ensures persons with disabilities have fair and equal access to services and are treated with respect and dignity.

Hall adds that FMC has already completed the policy and procedural guidelines required under the new standards and plans on putting more long-term provisions into effect in the future.

“We’re also in the process of an e-module training program with lawyers, staff, and paraprofessionals that allows them to complete training at times that are convenient for them,” she says.

For more information, please read Kendyl Sebesta’s article “Law firms ready for accessibility standards,” featured in the Law Times (December 5, 2011)