Womble Bond Dickinson Celebrates Neurodiversity with a Range of Activities and Events

Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) Celebrates Neurodiversity Awareness with a Month of Activities

EDINBURGH-based international law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) is embracing Neurodiversity Celebration Week with a series of events and initiatives aimed at raising awareness and support for neurodiversity. Neurodiversity encompasses a range of neurological differences, including ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia, and Tourette’s.

Throughout the month of March, WBD will be displaying multi-colored umbrellas across its UK offices as part of the ADHD Foundation’s Neurodiversity Umbrella initiative. These umbrellas symbolize the diversity of minds and talents within the firm and society as a whole.

WBD’s Disability Network plays a crucial role in promoting neurodiversity inclusion within the firm. The network has implemented various measures to support neurodivergent colleagues, such as modifying recruitment processes, introducing a Reasonable Adjustments Policy, creating a Neurodiversity Toolkit, and collaborating with Diversity Lab. Additionally, the network has been actively involved in external events and initiatives, including hosting webinars and speaking engagements.

This year, WBD is ramping up its Neurodiversity Celebration with a range of activities, including offering sensory kits, hosting webinars for line managers, sharing information on internal platforms, stocking DEI libraries with relevant books, and organizing meetups in its offices.

The Disability Network’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, as they have been recognized as finalists in prestigious awards such as the British Diversity Awards 2024 and the Legal 500 ESG UK Awards 2024. Individual members of the network, Michelle Essen and Emily Cox, have also been shortlisted for their advocacy in disability and neurodiversity.

Chris Seel, Diversity & Inclusion Adviser at the Law Society, commended WBD’s focus on neurodiversity and highlighted the importance of making simple adjustments to improve neuro-inclusion in the legal profession. The Law Society has been a longstanding advocate for neurodiversity and has collaborated with WBD on various initiatives to promote disability inclusion in the legal sector.

Overall, Womble Bond Dickinson’s commitment to neurodiversity awareness and support serves as a shining example of how law firms can create a more inclusive and diverse workplace for all individuals.