Ability network

Raising awareness of disabilities, neurodiversity and health conditions.

illustration for Ability network

The Ability network provides opportunities for disabled staff and allies to share work related issues of common interest and concern in a safe environment. It also helps disseminate best practice in relation to disability across the organisation.

Ability meets monthly and is open to anyone at the firm who'd like to support the aims and objectives of the group, we're committed to helping everyone to work in the way that's best for them. We encourage employees, clients and everyone we work with to let us know about any needs, adjustments or accessibility requests, so we can address these effectively.

Ability is a member of the Business Disability Forum (BDF) to ensure we meet and exceed best practice in this area. In collaboration with BDF we also offer an annual Ability Development Award aimed at first- or second-year student attending university with a keen interest in law. Our award provides a student with a disability or long-term condition with some financial support, along with skills and experience which will be useful for a career in the law.

Our aims

  • To promote the interests of disabled employees and clients at Mills & Reeve by:
    • participating in and supporting the implementation and delivery of our diversity and inclusion strategy
    • acting as a consultative forum for the firm to make sure our policies and practices are disability inclusive
    • working closely with our support teams, including facilities, IT, recruitment, client care and the website

  • To liaise with appropriate disability communities/organisations to identify possible inequalities and to support initiatives to help reduce inequalities

  • To develop a safe and comfortable forum for disabled staff to access support in relation to issues and problems they may face at work as a result of their disability

  • To contribute to the organisation’s inclusion and diversity agenda by sharing good practice, challenging stereotyping and boosting people’s understanding of disability issues

  • To encourage the recruitment and retention of talented disabled employees

Our achievements

We won the ‘Excellence in Equality & Inclusion’ award at the 2022 People in Law awards, and were particularly commended for our disability inclusion work with colleagues and clients, and in our recruitment process.

We have adjustments in place for a wide range of visible and non-visible disabilities. Ability encourages and aims to increase the number of touch points at which we ask staff members, new starters and clients to share with us any adjustments they need, including if things change in the time they work for or with us.

Over 10 of our network members have produced spotlights to share their own experiences, including hearing loss, fibromyalgia, dyslexia, dysautonomia, sight loss and a parent’s perspective of supporting her neurodiverse child.

We've recently increased the number of first aiders across our offices for seizure support, have British Sign Language remote capability at our receptions from Sign Solutions, and Read & Write software that is assisting colleagues including those with dyspraxia and dyslexia. The network also works closely with our wellbeing supporters who are all trained mental health first aiders.

“Ability is a fantastic forum encouraging open and honest dialogue, providing a source of support, and encouraging us all to work together to make the adjustments necessary to make Mills & Reeve as accessible and diverse as possible. We're working hard to challenge stereotypes and understand on a deeper rooted level the various issues surrounding disability, health conditions and neurodiversity.”

Abigail Pearse

Senior Associate & Ability co-chair

“The positive emphasis of Ability really inspires me and other members to work together to make the changes needed to increase accessibility and inclusivity for colleagues, clients and others. The progressive effect this attitude and support has on our working practices, interaction with clients and dealings with others is tangible and one of the key reasons why I'm at Mills & Reeve.”

Andrew Playle

Partner