We understand that living with a disability can be very hard and means navigating a system that is often confusing, inaccessible to individuals of stacked against you.
Knowing your legal rights is paramount in providing care, so it is important that you understand the basics of your rights, the types of protections that exist and where to turn if those rights are not respected.
What does disability rights mean?
Disability rights are a form of legal protection that are made to ensure that people with disabilities are ultimately treated fairly and with dignity.
These rights exist to promote accessibility and stop discrimination. The aim is to ensure that disabled can participate in society without being alienated by other people.
Disability laws allow for the recognition that barriers are often produced by environmental factors, systems, and attitudes. The purpose of these laws is to remove barriers and provide a good level of support when needed for individuals.
Protection From Discrimination
The key legal concept for people with disabilities is the right for overall reasonable adjustments.
This means wherever you are organisations and service providers are required to change their policies and procedures in order to ensure disabled people are not placed at a disadvantage over able-bodied people.
The way something is considered “reasonable” depends entirely on the situation, although, organisations are expected to take proactive steps rather than waiting for problems to arise.
Your Rights in Healthcare Settings
Getting access to healthcare should be a universal human right for everyone, regardless of the location or disability facing them. Yet often, people who have disabilities are often faced with barriers when trying to seek medical or mental health support.
Legally, all healthcare providers have an absolute duty of care to ensure everyone is treated fairly. If medical professionals fail to make reasonable adjustments or treat you in a fair way, this can be a breach of your legal rights, and you have a right to make sure things are sorted.
Employment Rights for Disabled People
Throughout every aspect of a disabled persons life, they should be treated fairly at every stage of their employment.
From applying for an initial job, to working in a day-to-day role and progression their careers. Employment law exists to protect disabled individuals from discrimination and ultimately to ensure that the workplace they are in is inclusive, accessible and ultimately supportive.
This form of protection applies to interviews, job offers, pay, training opportunities, promotions and dismissals. Employees must not treat individuals less favourably just because they have a disability, long-term health condition or the need for adjustments in their workplace.
Disabled people have a right to work in a place that is free from harassment, victimisation or bullying.
This includes protection from negative or inappropriate comments or being penalised for requesting help within the workplace.
If a disability affects attendance, performance or communication employers should work collaboratively with employees rather than taking any form of punitive action against them.
The disclosure of a disability is a choice of the disabled individual and employers are not required to disclose unless you need adjustment or legal protection.
Once an employer is aware of a disability they are legally required and mist reasonably and lawfully protect you. If these are ignored, advocacy services can help you challenge and unfair treatment or navigate a formal complaint and legal processes against them.
Housing and Independent Living Rights
Living a secure and accessible residence is essential for independence and well-being.
For individuals with disabilities, housing represents more than mere shelter it is an environment that facilitates their capacity to work, obtain services, and engage fully in society.
Legal safeguards are in place to guarantee that disabled persons are not unjustly denied housing, evicted, or disadvantaged because of their requirements. Comprehending these rights is crucial for living safely and independently.
Right to Accessible Housing
Disabled people have the right to live in homes that are accessible and meet their needs.
This may include modifications such as ramps, widened doorways, adapted bathrooms, or stairlifts. In many countries, including the UK, landlords, housing associations, and local authorities have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments to properties to accommodate tenants with disabilities.
If a housing provider refuses to make necessary adjustments without a valid reason, or if they discriminate based on disability, this may be a breach of your rights. Advocacy services can assist in negotiating modifications or resolving disputes.
