In Focus - Disability and the Equality Duty

22/03/2013

In Focus – Disability and the Equality Duty

Section 6 of the Equality Act (2010) makes it unlawful to discriminate on the ground of a person’s disability. The Act defines disability as a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Despite all efforts to promote greater understanding of disability, most people including most managers retain a simplistic and stereotypical perception that sees disability as affecting a small minority of the population – wheelchair users, blind people with guide dogs, and so on. Such a view all too easily feeds into a practice by managers that ignores the reality of disability and makes it harder to understand the number of people who meet the legal definition and the great range of impairments that are covered.

This ignorance can be addressed simply by acquiring knowledge and understanding. Without this managers will not be able to comply with the duty, and risk legal challenge.

For further information please see the comprehensive TUC Guide on disability and work.

 

Also, for details of the Disabled members self organised group (SOG) within the North West visit the Unison North West website
http://www.unisonnw.org/equality-in-unison/self-organised-groups-disabled-members/