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The information and guidance on the Whizz Kidz Hub are for information and educational purposes only. We make no guarantees that the information is complete, safe, or suitable for every individual.
What are disability rights?
Understand disability rights in the UK and how they protect wheelchair users in everyday life and education, including the Disability Act.
Disability rights are the protections you, as a disabled person, have. They’re there to stop discrimination and promote equality of opportunity.
Disability rights cover a range of areas, including education and employment. They’re backed by two pieces of legislation, the Equality Act 2010 and the United Nations (UN) Convention on disability rights.
We’re going to explore what you need to know about disability rights.
(To avoid confusion, there’s also a charity called Disability Rights that does fantastic work in campaigning for better rights and improving the quality of life of disabled people. )
What are my rights under the Disability Act?
Disability rights cover a huge range of areas, but we’re focusing on the two that matter most to young people: education and employment
Disability rights: Education
Disability rights are there to ensure that you, as a disabled person, get the support you need to access education. You receive protection at all stages of education, from infant school to further education, including university.
The rights ensure that:
- Protection from discrimination: It’s illegal for a school, college, university or other education provider to treat you unfavourably or unfairly. This includes direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
- Reasonable adjustments: Education providers should be prepared to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that you’re not discriminated against.
- Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND): Local authorities should ensure they assess the needs of disabled students. This may result in the creation of an Education and Health and Care (EHCP).
You can read more about disability rights and education on the Gov.uk website.
Disability rights: Employment
Employers can’t discriminate against you on the basis of your disability. They’re also required to ensure that application processes are fair and open. You should be able to ask for support with:
- Application forms
- Interview arrangements
- Aptitude or proficiency tests
- Job offers
- Terms of employment, including pay
- Promotion, transfer and training opportunities
- Dismissal or redundancy
- Discipline and grievances
Your employer should make reasonable adjustments to ensure that you can work safely and comfortably. This might be providing additional support or access to equipment.
Employers are also not allowed to ask specific questions about your disability, and must treat you fairly.
You can learn more about your employment rights on the Gov.uk website.
What happens if I’m discriminated against because of my disability?
If you feel that you’ve been discriminated against because of your disability, you have the right to complain. In the first instance, you should speak to your education provider or employer. This is known as the internal complaints procedure.
In many cases, you can reach a solution together. If not, you may want to take further action. This is known as the external complaints procedure).
We’re not legal experts and can’t provide personalised advice. Disability Rights has some useful information on ways you can make a formal complaint.
