disability discrimination affect access to social resources
Disability discrimination has far-reaching effects, affecting not only the lives of individual people but also entire communities. It must be addressed with an active effort on everyone’s part. This is why it is crucial that we understand and empathize with those experiencing discrimination in their daily lives. To do this, we must understand the many forms of disability discrimination.
Discrimination based on a person’s physical or mental health is one of the most common types of disability discrimination. This can take the form of being denied access to services, such as healthcare or housing. It can also include being excluded from social activities, such as work or school, due to their disability. It is also common for individuals with disabilities to experience abuse or victimization, such as being subjected to hate crimes or violence. Discrimination can be indirect as well, such as when a business does not make their premises accessible to those with mobility or visual impairments.
Indirect discrimination can also be the result of ignorance or misunderstanding about disabilities. For example, if an employer believes that an individual with a mental health condition cannot work in certain roles – for instance, a high-pressure job – they may not hire them, even though this is untrue. They may do this because they think that the job would be too stressful for someone with a mental illness or because they have preconceived ideas about what a person with that condition can and cannot do.
How does disability discrimination affect access to social resources?
It is against the law for someone to treat you less favourably because of your disability, unless they have a justifiable reason. This means that they can only do this if the adjustment would be expensive or disruptive and if their reasons for doing so are in line with the law. For instance, they might consider it reasonable to reject a person for a job as a carpet fitter because they have severe back pain that could cause them to slip and fall. However, if they were to accept the applicant they might find it difficult to get through the day due to the morning fatigue caused by their medication.
The Equality Act protects you from disability harassment at workplace, harassment and victimisation in the workplace, at education establishments and when using goods and services. It covers disabilities that you have now, had in the past, or are likely to have in the future. It includes conditions such as physical, psychiatric, sensory, neurological and learning disabilities. It also includes the presence in your body of disease-causing organisms such as HIV.
The Equality Act stipulates that organisations must provide support and services for disabled people, but this doesn’t always happen. If you are not being supported, it is your right to report this. This can help to put pressure on businesses to change their practices and policies. This can be done through a variety of channels, including the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Disability Rights Commission. The latter can advise you on the most appropriate way to approach your complaint.
