Those who attended the Law Society's solicitors' conference and presidents' and secretaries' conference in Birmingham last month may have seen myself and Michelle Howard.

We were noticeable as we were in wheelchairs.

Michelle, the chairperson of the Group for solicitors with Disabilities, is a permanent wheelchair user, but I only use a wheelchair at the moment for events like the conference that involve a lot of walking and standing.I have had experience of attending two interviews for a training contract and employment following completion of the training contract.

When my disability was mentioned I sensed that the training contract and the employment would not be offered.

sure enough, the expected letter arrived a few days later.

The problem is proof.

I had no proof, only the look on the interviewers' faces.I took my first GCE O-level in law at the age of 39.

I then went on to do part 1, years one and two of ILEX, three years' LLB (2:2), Law Society finals, two years' training contract, one year unemployed doing voluntary work, and now a short term contract.

In the second year of ILEX i had a hysterectomy.

In the first year of the LLB I had a disc prolapse in the cervical spine, necessitating surgery after the examinations.

During the Law Society finals my housing tutor from the LLB represented me free of charge at my mobility appeal, which was successful.

After the finals I underwent major gynaecological repair surgery, and six weeks' later I started my training contract, during which time my spinal problems were diagnosed as diffuse spinal degenerative disease.

The speed at which the degeneration will occur is unknown -- slowly, I hope.Those of you who talked to me at the conference, and particularly two solicitors with whom I shared a table on the Friday evening, will know that I am not the morbid type.

I undertake education law advice and assistance on a voluntary basis for parents who are having problems with their local education authorities, and in some cases disability law advice.

I want to specialise in these areas because of personal experiences, and look forward to the day when I can gain employment as a solicitor.

I know this will not be easy, not only because of the restrictions of my disability, but also because there is a shortage of opportunities for all newly qualified people.

I have to compete against them for the few opportunities there are.More seriously, Michelle and I are concerned at the lack of awareness and knowledge within the legal profession and generally as to the benefits of employing a disabled person.

After discussing the question of employing a disabled person with fellow solicitors at the conference, it seemed to me that most if not all solicitors view such employees as a potential burden and a drain on their finances and manpower.

This is not so.

My existing and previous employers have not incurred any additional expense by employing me.

Towards the end of my training contract I could not carry out the endless agency matters which involved attending court on at least alternate days, but I compensated by doing more office-based work.The only facility I currently receive that my colleagues do not is that our clerical assistant collects and returns files and deeds packets to the strong room, and holes are punched into large documents for me because of the weakness in my right arm.

I cannot carry heavy files or struggle with old filing cabinets, but this is not now a problem as we have new filing cabinets, and I was consulted as to how I needed mine fitted out.

I have found that secretaries, partners, colleagues and other staff have always been willing to give me the minimal help I need with the lifting, fetching or carrying.I could not work without the equipment with which the Department of Employment has provided me through its access to work scheme.

Neither my previous nor present employer has had to contribute to this, but wherever I go my equipment goes, as it remains the property of the department.The first items they provided were a special chair (approximately £600), which supports my spine from lumbar to cervical, a foot stool and a writing plinth.

These were all provided during the first year of my training contract, and a technical officer from the Department of Employment came to assess me to ensure the equipment was actually enabling me to work.

As a result I was then provided with a trolley to put files by my side rather than stretching to the other side of the desk, and a 'hands free' telephone so that I could talk and look through a file at the same time -- I cannot cradle a telephone in my neck without suffering severe pain and rigidity.Since qualifying as a solicitor in October 1993 and obtaining my current short term contract as a senior legal assistant with a local authority in October 1994, the Department of Employment has provided me with a com puter, and a telephone with a headset, as the Dictaphone system is via the telephone system and it was causing me severe difficulties trying to use the telephone and turn the pages in files.By having all this equipment, and maybe more later as my spinal disease deteriorates (prognosis is not good), I am able to work and do not have to vegetate.

It is in the legal profession's interest to find out about the access to work scheme and other employment schemes.

To do this, telephone your local employment centre and ask to speak to the disablement employment adviser.

In my experience they are very helpful people.

And myself and other members of the Group for Solicitors with Disabilities are happy to advise and assist our disabled colleagues as much as we can.