The Equality Act, which was passed in 2010, provides a legal framework for protecting individuals from discrimination and promoting equality in various aspects of life One key area that the Equality Act addresses is disability discrimination Under the Equality Act, a person is considered to have a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
It is important to understand that the definition of disability under the Equality Act is broad and covers a wide range of impairments This includes physical disabilities such as mobility impairments, sensory impairments, and chronic health conditions It also encompasses mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD The key criterion is whether the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the individual’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Under the Equality Act, individuals with disabilities are protected from discrimination in various areas of life, including employment, education, housing, and public services Employers, service providers, and public authorities have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities are not disadvantaged compared to individuals without disabilities This may include making changes to the physical environment, providing additional support or assistance, or modifying policies and procedures.
Employers are also prohibited from treating individuals with disabilities unfairly in the recruitment and selection process, terms and conditions of employment, training and development opportunities, and dismissal or redundancy decisions The Equality Act also prohibits harassment and victimisation of individuals with disabilities in the workplace.
In the context of education, schools, colleges, and universities have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that students with disabilities can access and participate in education on an equal basis with students without disabilities This may include providing additional support, equipment, or resources, modifying teaching methods or assessment criteria, or adjusting the physical environment.
Housing providers, including landlords and local authorities, are also prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities in relation to the provision of housing, including renting accommodation, selling property, or providing social housing disability under equality act. They have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access and enjoy housing on an equal basis with individuals without disabilities.
Public authorities, including government departments, local councils, and health service providers, are also required to comply with the duties set out in the Equality Act This includes ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equal access to public services and facilities, such as healthcare, transportation, and leisure facilities Public authorities must also consider the needs of individuals with disabilities when making decisions or developing policies that may affect them.
It is important to note that individuals with disabilities also have rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which was adopted in 2006 The CRPD recognises that individuals with disabilities are entitled to enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with others It also calls for the promotion of full participation and inclusion in society for individuals with disabilities.
In conclusion, disability under the Equality Act is a broad and inclusive concept that covers a wide range of physical and mental impairments Individuals with disabilities are protected from discrimination and are entitled to equal treatment in various aspects of life, including employment, education, housing, and public services Employers, service providers, and public authorities have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access and participate in society on an equal basis with individuals without disabilities By promoting equality and preventing discrimination, the Equality Act and the CRPD aim to create a more inclusive and accessible society for all.