Disability

Disability Rights UK

We are Disabled people leading change

Disability Rights UK is the UK’s leading organisation led by, run by, and working for disabled people.

We work with Disabled People’s Organisations, public bodies, businesses and Government across the UK to influence regional and national change for better rights, accessibility, benefits, quality of life and economic opportunities for Disabled people.

Types of disability discrimination

It's important to understand the different types of disability discrimination, so you know how to deal with it and what your rights and responsibilities are under discrimination law (Equality Act 2010).

Disability discrimination includes:

direct or indirect discrimination
discrimination arising from disability
failure to make reasonable adjustments
harassment
victimisation

There are different rights under discrimination law, depending on which of those is taking place.

If you need some help to understand the different types of disability discrimination, you can contact:

Direct discrimination

Direct disability discrimination is when someone is put at a disadvantage and treated less favourably because of:

their own disability
the disability of someone they know or have a connection with ('discrimination by association')
a 'perceived' disability – this means thinking someone has a disability when they do not ('discrimination by perception')

Direct discrimination against someone who's disabled

This is when a disabled person is put at a disadvantage and treated less favourably because of their disability