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What is disability discrimination?
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 ensures the prevention of discrimination that treats disabled people less favourably than non-disabled people. The Act was updated in 2005 and in 2010 major parts of this Act has been replaced by the Equality Act.
What is a ‘disability’?
The DDA defines a disability as a physical or mental condition that has a long-term, adverse affect on your day-to-day life.
What are my rights?
The DDA details the rights of disabled people in the areas of:
- employment
- access to goods
- facilities and services
- buying or renting land or property
- education
- transport
- health and social services
You can read more about a disabled person’s rights in every day life from Directgov.
Employer’s responsibilities
An employer has a duty to make 'reasonable adjustments' to make sure a disabled person is not put at a disadvantage by employment arrangements or any physical feature of the workplace. You should discuss this with your employer and reasonable adjustments may include:
- Providing specialist training or equipment such as a screen reader or speech browser software.
- Providing a reader or sign language interpreter at meetings.
- Modified equipment such as a lowered desk.
- Allocating some of the disabled person's duties to another person such as heavy lifting.
- Adjusting premises by installing ramps and automatic doors.
- Providing information in different formats, such as in Braille.
You need to remember that any adjustments made should be reasonable and balance against other factors including:
- Cost.
- Practicality.
- Disruption.
- Effectiveness of the adjustment.
Help lines
- Connexions Direct - 080 800 13 2 19, Text 07766 4 13 2 19, Textphone 08000 968 336
- The Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) - 0845 604 6610
Useful websites
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Promotes equality and human rights, providing advice and guidance on the legislation and raises awareness of your rights.
Disability Essex
Improving life for disabled people.
Essex Coalition of Disabled People
Local organisation promoting independent living and campaigning on important issues for disabled people.
Last updated: 20/06/11
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