Disability is not something that is obvious. According to the Equality Act 2010, a person is disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment which can leave a substantial adverse effect on his ability to carry out the normal activities with ease.
This definition is further explained:
- Normal activities: These include things done by people on a regular basis such as reading, writing, casual conversation, using telephone or even travelling via public transport.
- Long term: The impairment has or it is expected to last for a year at minimum.
- Substantial: Significant or not trivial/minor
Progressive condition
It is a health condition that may get worse over time. The people coping with progressive conditions are also categorized as disabled.
Who is not counted as disable?
There are some conditions which are not covered by the definition of disability. This includes addiction to drugs or alcohol.
The government of UK has developed special Disability Rights UK for disabled people living in the country.
What is the Disability Rights UK?
According to the Disability Rights UK, a disabled person has the right to be protected from discrimination. These individuals have a right in:
- Education
- Employment
- Dealing with police
Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
The legislation has devised civil rights for the disabled people to protect them from discrimination on the basis of their disability. The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) is exactly meant for this purpose.
The DDA 1995 aims to end the discrimination people with disabilities have to face in their everyday lives. Amendments were made in this Act and it was expanded in 2006. It is capable of providing disabled people rights in employment, education, accessing facilities, services, goods, using the public transport services and even accessing the private clubs. Other areas covered by the Act include:
- Rights to buy or rent a land or property, making the process of renting property and finding tenants easier for disabled people to ensure disability related adaptions
- Rights to the functions of public bodies such as getting a license
The legislation requires that public bodies promote equal opportunities for the disabled people.
Rights of people with disabilities in every day life
People with disabilities have every right to live their lives like a normal human being. The Disability Discrimination Act has given the following rights to disabled people in everyday life:
- Access to goods, services and premises: These individuals have rights to access everyday goods and services from shops, cafes, restaurants, banks, cinemas and worship places. They can buy and sell land and rent the land/property too. They can access facilities such as becoming a member of a private club. They can also access Public Bodies functions such as issuing a license
- Employment: Employers have no right to discriminate people with disability just because they are disabled. They can apply for any employment opportunity unless discrimination is justified. The employers are responsible for making sure that adjustments to any disable employee are not placed at some disadvantage due to the features or arrangements of the workplace. It is unreasonable for the employers to retain the hiring of disabled people or paying such adjustments which are not appropriate to the benefits of the employees. The employers have to device feasible policies to make sure that the physical condition or disability of a candidate does not hinder the professional opportunities.
- Health: The people with disabilities have the right to access social and healthcare services. They can visit hospitals, opt for dental surgery or a doctor’s surgery as well.
- They have right to obtain information about the social and healthcare services in a format that is accessible to them.
- Education: It is unlawful for the education providers to discriminate disabled candidates, whether it is the students or adult learners. It must be ensured that they are not disadvantaged in contrast to the people who are not disabled.
- Transport services: The individuals with disabilities have right to access transportation services like railways, airports, public transport and motoring. The transport provider is liable to provide the transport information to people with disabilities in a format that is easily accessible to them.
Disability Rights UK have been developed and implemented so that disabled citizens do not have to bear discrimination on the basis of their disability. These rights also encourage every citizen to get involved in implementing the rights and let the disabled contribute to the benefits of community and economy. These rights are meant to ensure that people with disabilities can equally function and get success just as a fully able person if they are provided with accommodating conditions.