The powerful two-minute clip, which went live at 10:30am today, was created to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities and the worldwide #PurpleLightUp campaign on 3 December.
The film, which includes The Last Leg presenter Adam Hills, features Vaibhav as well as employees from BT, HSBC UK, Lloyds Banking Group, Lloyds of London, Nationwide Building Society, Scope, Virgin Media and Channel 4. Each gives an insight into the extra worries they have to deal with.
“The film is the epitome of the quote by Samuel Beckett, ‘Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.’ It highlights the fears of people with disabilities and the negative outlook that affects their confidence due to constant rejection,” said Vaibhav, an associate in Reed Smith’s Global Corporate Group based in London, who was born with cerebral palsy with visual motor perception.
Vaibhav added: “Reed Smith played a vital role in my development and provided support at every stage of my training, for both physical and mental adjustments. This included providing an assistant, special software and mechanics, but – most importantly – understanding and flexibility.
“At every stage, Reed Smith helped and guided me to perform at my best. They’re the firm that supported my journey from disability to ability. Nothing is impossible for me now. My success is their success.”
As well as promoting International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the film also encourages businesses to help people with disabilities find careers so they can thrive. Channel 4’s chief marketing and communications officer Dan Brooke, who is also the broadcaster’s board diversity champion, said: “In the UK there are seven million people of working age with health conditions or disabilities and an astonishing 50 per cent are unemployed. This represents a huge wealth of talent which is simply going to waste. And it’s not just the people themselves who are losing out, businesses are losing out - as is Britain PLC.”
For further information about the film and to read about Vaibhav, visit channel4.com.
For more information on seeking graduate and undergraduate opportunities, including training contract and summer vacation schemes, visit our graduates section.
For experienced-hire opportunities, view our careers section and for information on our diversity and inclusion initiatives, visit reedsmith.com.
About Reed Smith
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