Disability Discrimination Act & Mental Health: Rights & Protection in the UK

The United Kingdom's Disability Discrimination Act, originally passed by Parliament in 1995, was amended in 2005. It covers individuals with both physical and mental disabilities.

Purpose

• The purpose of the Disability Discrimination Act is to legally stop the discrimination of disabled citizens that affects their ability to meet their life goals or needs. This can involve discrimination from employers, academic institutions and various services.

Defined

• According to the Disability Discrimination Act, a mentally disabled individual is one that has a long-term mental impairment that limits their ability to complete the tasks of daily living. A long-term impairment is one that has lasted or is estimated to last at least one year.

Types

• According to the UK government website, the substantial effects of several mental illnesses or conditions are covered under the Disability Discrimination Act. Examples include depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and dementia.