The Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society. The act makes it unlawful to discriminate against someone on grounds of certain protected characteristics. These are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion/beliefs and sexual orientation.
If you have a physical or mental disability that has a substantial or long term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day to day activities, you can use the Equality Act to protect yourself against discrimination in education, work and services provided for you. It can require employers, colleges, schools and venues to make reasonable adjustments and provide support to make things accessible.
"I have experienced the effect of the Equality Act throughout my education. For example, in Primary school, a platform lift was fitted so that I could access the raised classroom entrance with my class mates who had to climb steps to get in. I also had may own accessible bathroom that was installed when I joined the school. When we went on trips, my class always travelled in an accessible coach and consideration was given to how I would be included at venues away from school."
Isobel
