Vision Ireland’s Employment, Training and Academia Team’s Workplace Integration and Partner Officers (WIPOs), M. Melvan and S. Merritt, partnered with the legal firm Eversheds Sutherland and disAbility Legal Network (DLN) in hosting a webinar centred on visual impairments in employment, specifically within the legal sector. Â
Drawing over 150 participants, the event facilitated an enriching discussion on various aspects such as workplace integration, assistive technology, and reasonable accommodations for vision impairments in professional settings. Â
Following the introductory discussion, led by the WIPOs, the webinar welcomed two distinguished legal professionals with firsthand experiences: Ryan Kelly, senior legal counsel for Bauer Media Group and a member of the disabled solicitors’ network advisory committee in the UK, and Sharon Grennan, knowledge lawyer in Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and secretary of the Society of Visually Impaired Lawyers. Â
Moderated by Niamh Donnelly, an Eversheds Sutherland trainee, the dialogue delved into the personal and professional journeys of Ryan and Sharon, offering profound insights into navigating careers with visual impairments. Furthermore, they provided invaluable advice on fostering allyship and support within the workplace for individuals with visual impairments.