Disability
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) prohibits unjustified less favourable treatment of a person because of their disability. It covers all aspects of employment, as well as education and the provision of goods, facilities, and services.
The definition of disability in the DDA is: "A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. This is a broad definition, which can include impairments which people may not automatically think of as disabilities such as severe asthma, a severe facial disfigurement, and epilepsy.
Example of disability discrimination:
- It is likely to be disability discrimination if an employer decides not to recruit a person with speech impairment because of concerns that business clients will have difficulty interacting with that person.
The DDA also contains a duty on employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. For example, an employer must make reasonable adjustments to their work practices if they disadvantage a disabled person. This may include providing equipment (for example, a telephone fitted with an amplifier for a person with hearing loss) or accommodating flexible working hours.
The DDA also prohibits harassment and victimisation on the grounds of disability. In 2004, the law was extended to include duties on employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments to premises to avoid physical barriers to access.
For more information, please see the Disability Rights Commission website at www.drc.org.uk.
