This page will identify different types of discrimination and list sources of help for further reading.

Disabled people often do not get fair treatment in life. The Equality Act 2010 and the United Nations (UN) Convention on disability rights aim to end the discrimination which many disabled people face in their life. The Equality and Human Rights Commission works to secure full civil rights for disabled people.

If you are disabled or you have a disability, the Equality Act protects you from discrimination in areas which include:

  • employment
  • education
  • access to goods, services and facilities
  • buying and renting land or property. 
The Equality Act 2010 also protects your rights if you have an association with a disabled person, e.g. a carer or parent. Get more information about the Equality Act 2010 from The Government Equalities Office.
 
The UN Convention on disability rights has been agreed by the UK to protect and promote the rights of disabled people. More information about the UN Convention on disability rights can be obtained from the Office for Disability Issues.
 
You are disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.
 
How are the terms 'substantial' and 'long term' defined?
  • ‘substantial’ is more than minor or trivial e.g. it takes much longer than it usually would to complete a daily task like getting dressed
  • ‘long-term’ means 12 months or more e.g. a breathing condition that develops as a result of a lung infection.
For further information on special rules for recurring or fluctuating conditions, including 'Equality Act Guidance' documents visit gov.ukThe Equality and Human Rights Commission can also provide detailed guidance on all of this. They can be contacted on www.equalityhumanrights.com or Equality Advisory Support Service:
Phone 0800 444 205
Textphone 0800 444 206

 

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Definition of Disability

More than 10 million people in the UK are disabled, 770,000 of whom are children. More people are living with a disability now than in the past because we are living longer, and improved medical treatments are enabling more people to manage long-term health problems. According to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, 58% of people over 50 will have a long-term health condition by 2020.
 
You are disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has 'substantial' and 'long term' negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities. More information on this definition and Equality Act Guidance can be found at www.gov.uk/definition-of-disability-under-equality-act-2010
 
 

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Access to Public Buildings

The Equality and Human Rights Commission ran a campaign to improve disabled people's access to buildings and services and publicised new laws of access that came into force in October 2004.

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Employment

Should you wish accurate and up–to-date information on Employment and Disability pertaining to sick leave, sick pay, redundancy, pensions, health and safety, discipline and dismissal then please go to http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/ or www.gov.uk

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What is Harassment?

This occurs when one person or a group of people's behaviour towards another causes offence. It could also be referred to as bullying. This behavior may take the form of inappropriate stories, jokes etc which are intended to embarrass the individual. Also inappropriate touch, suggestions or demands for sexual favours whether the individual be a man or a woman. Employers can be liable for this behaviour if it comes to light. A claim for harassment could be made under the Sex Discrimination Act, Race Relations Act or the Disability Discrimination Act.

More information on equality strategies and legislation can be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk

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What is Victimisation?

An individual may state that they have been victimised if they have suffered unfavorable treatment because they have in good faith taken part in a 'protected activity' under one of the discrimination acts. An example is giving evidence in connection with a discrimination claim brought by another person.

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What is Race Discrimination?

Under the Race Discrimination Act it is unlawful in employment to discriminate, either directly or indirectly, on the grounds of race, colour, nationality or ethnic origin.

More information on this and on The Equality Act which came into force in October 2010 can be found by contacting the Equalities Advisory Support Service on 0800 444 205 or www.equalityhumanrights.com

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What is Sex Discrimination?

When a person is treated less favourably on account of their sex in relation to recruitment, selection, training, promotion, selection for redundancy etc. For example, when an employer imposes a requirement, condition or practice which few people of one sex can fulfill e.g. a requirement to be above a certain height. Women and men, including transsexual people, have the right not to be discriminated against in the workplace because of their sex.
 
Employers may specify that an employee must be of a certain sex when there is 'a genuine occupational reason'. For example, for reasons of decency in a single sex establishment such as a women's hostel.
 
You could get more information on this topic at www.equalityhumanrights.com
 
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Contacts

Use the contacts below for help or to find out more information. Alternatively, if you need someone to talk to about how you're feeling, call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 between 6pm and 2am or 24hrs at the weekend (Fri 6pm to Mon 6am). Remember your call is confidential and free.

 

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