Accepting CLA Accessibility Committee member applications

Submit by Tuesday, February 1, 2022.

Open to all CLA members (student, active, observer and affiliate) with a passion to foster and promote opportunities for people with disabilities in criminal law. There are up to 15 committee member spaces available.

Submissions will be reviewed with all applicants being contacted once the reviews have been completed. Note, reviews will be completed as soon as possible.

Submit your interest online by going to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6NCRF6K

Committee objectives and activities:

• Advocate on behalf of defence counsel with disabilities both within the CLA and in the broader legal community;
• Research and promote the retention of persons with disabilities in criminal law;
• Provide mentorship and networking opportunities for people with disabilities in criminal law;
• Provide business development support for people with disabilities in criminal law;
• Continuously consult with CLA members who have one or more disability to identify new and ongoing needs and report this information back to the CLA executive;
• Respond to comments or issues that arise that relate to persons with disabilities and how the CLA can serve them better;
• Report or track instances of experiences where accessibility issues occur in workplaces, courthouses, jails, Crown attorney offices, at security desks, entrances, or any other places required for the practice of criminal law;
• Report or track instances of discrimination, or attitudinal barriers experienced by lawyers with disabilities practicing criminal law;
• Work with the CLA executive to make the CLA more accessible and inclusive to people with disabilities;
• Work with the CLA executive to prepare submissions about the needs of lawyers with disabilities from the position of a stakeholder in discussions held by governments and regulatory bodies that impact the Canadian legal system;
• Work with other committees within the CLA to bring accessibility issues to the front of the work those committees are doing;
• Work within the CLA to promote greater levels of inclusion and participation in symposiums, conventions and other events;
• Develop and provide content relating to disabilities for symposiums, conventions, and other events;
• Liaise with external bodies to ensure the interests of people with disabilities in criminal law are considered;
• Advocate for the needs of lawyers with disabilities in a wide number of forums outside of the CLA in a manner that promotes respect for lawyers with disabilities;
• Make submissions to the Judiciary about court directives affecting criminal lawyers with disabilities;
• Provide education to the Bar and Bench on best practices in making the practice of criminal law in the courts, Crown attorney offices, or in chambers and the view from the bench, more tenable and respectful, accommodating and promoting of inclusion by removing physical, institutional, behavioural and attitudinal barriers from Criminal law;
• Investigate tech solutions and tech support from within the CLA and how the CLA can assist members with disabilities to navigate the legal system;
• Investigate and research best practices for lawyers who require accommodations;
• Prepare and present a budget for consideration by the CLA Executive on an annual basis for Committee activities.