UK Disability History Month

December 18, 2024

By Harriette Loveluck-Edwards

Disability History Month runs from 22nd November to 22nd December every year. It is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate individuals who have personal experiences of disability and long-term health conditions.

Disability is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. An individual is considered disabled in law if:

  • They have a physical or mental impairment;
  • The impairment is long-term and lasts (or is likely to last) 12 months or longer;
  • The impairment has a substantial impact on the individual’s ability to carry out day-to-day activities.

Disability discrimination can happen at work and all employers should take steps to prevent it and support those who experience it. It could be a one-off incident or a sequence of events over a period of time. It can also happen outside the workplace at work-related events.

Having a disability should not prevent an employee from being able to come to work and carry out their role. Employees with disabilities have a right:

  • to be treated equally to those without a disability;
  • not to be disadvantaged by policies and procedures in the workplace in comparison to those without a disability;
  • for adjustments to be made in the workplace to make sure they are able to carry out their role as easily as those without a disability;
  • not to be treated badly because of something in connection to their disability; or
  • not to feel humiliated, offended or degraded because of their disability.

Ensuring you stay informed is essential. You can find out more information about the types of disability discrimination here.

The Government has also proposed changes to the law which were announced in the King’s Speech this year. The proposal is to introduce an Equality (Race and Disability) Bill which will introduce a new right for employees to bring an Equal Pay claim based on a disability. The Bill could also require employers with over 250 employees to report disability pay as a mandatory task. Further details about this have not yet been published by the Government but you can find out more about this here.

If you need advice on disability discrimination, get in touch using our contact form or contact one of our expert employment solicitors Harriette Loveluck-Edwards on 029 2002 8739 or on hloveluck-edwards@darwingray.com to find out how we could help you.

Read more

Contact Our Team

To speak to one of our experts today, please contact us on 02920 829 100 or by using our Contact Us form for a free initial chat to see how we can help.

Anna Rees
Head of Marketing
View Profile
Bethan Hartland
Accounts Assistant / Legal Cashier
View Profile
Caragh McCormack
Trainee Solicitor
View Profile
Catherine Burke
Partner
View Profile

What our clients have said...

ReviewSolicitors