Thirty years ago, when I started working in law, the City was a place where people said openly racist and sexist things. They would probably also have described themselves as ‘realistic’ (meaning the reverse) about the impact of disabilities. I had to conceal my deafness at interview and the fact that it was worsening thereafter. If I hadn’t, my career as a City lawyer would likely have stalled – assuming I’d ever managed to get it started.
I am now profoundly deaf and have been for years. I could not have got a job in a City firm in the 1980s with this level of hearing loss. Could I today? The diversity movement is having some impact on disability recruitment so perhaps I could. All other things being equal, would my hearing loss prevent me making partner? I can pull my financial weight like any other partner, but, if I was starting out now, I still think it might.
