Disability rights

A person sitting in a wheelchair smiling, next to an image of the Equality Act.

The Equality Act 2010 says that people are disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term effect on their ability to do normal daily activities.

Substantial means a big impact.

Long-term means 12 months or more.

A group of five people. One person is holding a white cane and one person is using a wheelchair.

Disabled people have the same rights as non-disabled people but are often disabled by barriers in society.

These barriers include things like people’s attitudes, information that is hard to understand, and places people can’t get into.

A person in a wheelchair saying 'I need...' She is next to an access ramp, a clock and some easy-read information.

The Equality Act 2010 means employers, schools and colleges, and service providers like shops and restaurants have to make reasonable adjustments so disabled people can access the same opportunities and services as non-disabled people.

Reasonable adjustments can include things like:

  • flexible working hours
  • information in an accessible format such as Braille, large print or easy read or using coloured paper
  • ramps for wheelchair access
  • accessible car parking spaces
  • adapted toilets
  • lifts
  • wide doors.
Three disabled people pointing to an image of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities protects the human rights of disabled people.

The UK has signed up to the UN Convention.

The Convention says what countries should do to protect and promote disabled people’s rights.

Things the Convention says include:

A group of friends hugging each other and looking happy.
  • Everyone is equal.

  • Discrimination against disabled people is not allowed.
A person in a wheelchair on an access ramp.
  • Disabled people should have access to public buildings like hospitals and schools, public transport, information and new technology.
A person thinking.
  • Disabled people should have the freedom to make choices.
A person standing inside an outline of a house.
  • Disabled people have a right to live in the community, and to be included in the community. This means
    • disabled people should be able to choose where they live, and who they live with, and not be made to live where they don’t want to.

    • disabled people should have the support they need to live in, and be part of, the community.

    • community services and facilities must be available on an equal basis to disabled people and be responsive to their needs.

 

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