Gowling WLG is proud to become the first law firm to be recognised as a Visibly Better Employer by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
RNIB's Visibly Better Employer programme is the charity's quality standard to enable organisations in the UK to become inclusive for people with sight loss. It aims to help employers see an increase in the number of blind and partially sighted people who seek opportunities with them, while retaining existing staff who develop sight loss.
The firm worked collaboratively with the RNIB to complete an assessment of its processes to receive the quality standard.
Andy Stylianou, chair at Gowling WLG (UK) LLP and board lead on diversity and inclusion, said: "We are extremely proud and delighted to have been awarded the Visibly Better Employer standard from RNIB - Gowling WLG is, and always has been, passionate about ensuring we are a workplace that provides opportunities for everyone.
"The employment rate of blind and partially sighted people is sadly extremely low and we recognise that people with sight loss face many barriers to success at work. Working with the RNIB, and our colleagues who face sight loss challenges, we are committed to doing all we can to overcome these barriers for all our people and future colleagues."
Marie Clarkson, RNIB Employment Manager, said: "We are delighted that Gowling WLG has been recognised as a Visibly Better Employer. RNIB can help organisations to put in place new practices to enable them to become an inclusive employer for anyone with sight loss, and Gowling WLG have embraced this.
"The employment rate of blind and partially sighted people is unacceptably low, with 11,000 currently looking for work in the UK. There are many misconceptions and poor knowledge preventing employers from seeing blind and partially sighted people as potential employees.
"The Visibly Better Employer scheme aims to show the value that a diverse workforce offers, and that blind and partially sighted people are able to do a variety of different roles in varying industries by promoting real-life experiences."
Organisations can achieve the Visibly Better Employer quality standard by making accessibility changes suggested by RNIB and prove its commitment to becoming an inclusive employer for blind and partially sighted people. To find out more, please email the RNIB Employment Team at: VisiblyBetterEmployer@rnib.org.uk or visit the RNIB website.
If you have sight loss and are looking for work then you can visit our 'Looking for Work' pages on the RNIB website where you can find links to a number of Visibly Better Employer's recruitment pages.