environment will permit effective communication with the lawyer, when would be an
appropriate time to take a break, and so on. If it is anticipated that there may be a
number of accommodation needs, then the lawyer may canvass and address these in
advance of the meeting. Lawyers may want to develop a checklist for this purpose.
Time considerations are important for many clients with disabilities. Care must be taken
to develop a realistic time-line for case preparation. A very tight timetable can cause
problems. Clients with disabilities may use accessible transit services that, because of
limited availability, require pre-booking before the date of a meeting. Clients with
disabilities may need longer or more frequent breaks than usual to go to the washroom or
take medication. A client with a cognitive or emotional disability may require more time to
consider options and make a decision. An interview conducted using a sign language
interpreter can be time consuming and must be arranged well in advance.
As with other clients, the lawyer should discuss all aspects of cases fully and frankly with
clients who have disabilities. It is essential that clients be questioned about all relevant
aspects of their cases, even if the questions may be difficult for the clients.
It is also essential to make sure that clients whose disability affects their legal capacity to
understand the lawyer's advice. Some techniques that may be useful to assist with
communication are as follows:
• use plain and clear language, not legal terminology or jargon
• ask clients to explain their understanding of what the lawyer has said using their
own words or their own alternative means of communication• encourage clients to ask questions of the lawyer
• encourage clients to tell the lawyer everything that may be relevant, while
suggesting what information would be of most use to the lawyerAsk clients what meeting place is best for them. Some clients with disabilities may require
home visits because their disability makes it difficult for them to leave their homes. For
example, clients with chronic pain may find that travel exacerbates their pain, and clients
with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity may react adversely to a number of substances in a