This means that employers and organisations providing services
to the public will no longer be able to discriminate against people
– for example, by sacking them from their jobs – just because
they’ve found out they are HIV positive or have cancer or MS.
Welcoming the changes, Bert Massie, chairman of the Disability
Rights Commission (DRC) said:
“This closes a significant loophole in the
law. We have been unable to help people who have been diagnosed
with serious illnesses and then treated unfairly, because they
didn’t fall under the legal definition of disability. This is
plainly wrong. People diagnosed with serious long-term health
conditions shouldn’t be discriminated against – full stop.”
The changes will also impact on people with mental illness who
will, from today, no longer have to prove their condition is
clinically well recognised to be afforded their rights under the
Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
Other new duties coming into force today will make it unlawful
for local authorities and private clubs to treat their disabled
members less favourably. The changes are a result of the DDA 2005,
which amends the earlier DDA of 10 years ago.
Another set of obligations are due to come into force next
December, requiring all public bodies in Britain to lead by example
and integrate disabled people in their policy-making from the
outset as well as promote 'equality of opportunity' for disabled
people. This is similar to existing duties under race legislation
and will be an important driver to achieve equality for millions of
disabled people, according to the Government.
"Tackling inequality is right at the heart of the Government's
social agenda,” said John Hutton, Secretary of State for Work and
Pensions. “I'm delighted to announce that today we are delivering
on our commitment to extend and strengthen disability rights to
protect people from discrimination.
