Photograph of Wheelchair Basketball
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 makes treating people with a disability less favourably than other people, without justification, unlawful in areas such as buying goods, using a service, finding somewhere to live or getting a job.
Disabled people can find, for no good reason, they aren’t given the same opportunities as others. This may occur through prejudice, or for the simple fact that the person with a disability is not asked how his or her needs could be best catered for. Therefore, it is all too often assumed that a disabled person cannot carry out a task or use a certain service.
For example, Oxford University graduate Melanie Doolittle’s job application is turned down by Bodgeit & Scarper estate agents because she informed them that she has partial hearing and partners in the firm Mr Knot and Mr Toogood believe that she would be unable to answer the telephone. What Knot Toogood have failed to do is ask if assistive technology could aid her disability i.e. the use of an amplified telephone and audio loop around the office could result in Melanie becoming a very successful and reliable employee. Also, although such specialised equipment can be costly, Knot Toogood will never know that all additional expenses such as the audio loop would be paid for by the Disability Service Team.
Indeed, although proving the unlawful activities of Knot Toogood could prove difficult, Melanie could look towards an Employment Tribunal to seek damages for loss of opportunity and hurt to feelings.
Therefore, if you require either urgent or "out of office hours" legal advice or assistance about: disability discrimination, employment, goods services and facilities, education [including the Disabled Student Allowance], welfare benefits [including Disability Living Allowance] etc. etc. then please send an e-mail to-
Alternatively, you can telephone-
07759-751-320
[Copyright] Allied Law 2002