New Zealand Law Society - Increasing access for disabled people

Increasing access for disabled people

About one in six New Zealanders are disabled. Enabling people with disabilities to access legal services or work in the legal profession should be a key part of any diversity and inclusion framework.

You can let people know that you can use New Zealand Sign Language by updating your profile in Registry. Your name will come up in Find a Lawyer if people are seeking a lawyer who can use Sign Language.

Resources for increasing accessibility for clients

Specialised communication assistance in justice contexts: Speech-language therapists can carry out court-appointed ‘Communication Assistance’ roles for both witnesses and defendants. Provided by Taking Trouble Aotearoa New Zealand.
Services to assist people who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech-impaired and deafblind to communicate by phone. Provided by New Zealand Relay.
Advice and guidance for supporting blind and low-vision clients to access your services. Provided by Blind Low Vision NZ.
Leading the way in accessible information. A guide for writers, communicators and designers. Provided by the Ministry of Social Development.

Resources for increasing accessibility for employees

Information and support for employers and disabled employees. Provided by Employment New Zealand.