Disability

Disability

According to research, one in five people that are of working age are considered as "disabled" by the Government and the Disability Rights Commission (DRC). But what exactly does a disability mean? What kind of disability does the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) contemplate when it classifies certain individuals as "disabled?"

In order for someone to be considered "disabled" under the law, he, the individual, must have a disability, that is, a long-term health condition that has an impact on his day to day life.

Who are People with Disability?

Based on the definition given above, persons who are disabled include the following:

* People with cancer
* Diabetics
* People with multiple sclerosis
* People with heart conditions
* People who have a hearing or sight impairment
* People who have a significant mobility difficulty caused by conditions such as arthritis
* People with mental health conditions
* People with learning difficulties

The Purpose of the Disability Law

The law that sets certain standards for the treatment of disabled persons as well as prohibits discriminatory acts is called the Disability Discrimination Act. Under this law, persons with disabilities and some others, such as those with facial disfigurement, are entitled to certain rights.

The government has taken steps to protect the rights of these people who may otherwise be treated unfairly as a result of their disabilities. This is the reason why the DDA was enacted, in order to ensure that the rights of these people with disabilities are upheld, whether in the workplace, school, or any other field of human activity.

Are You Disabled under the DDA?

If you are "disabled" under the terms of the DDA, then knowing what your rights are under said law is important to help you negotiate for reasonable adjustments in your workplace. In addition, your rights afford you legal protection if you feel that you have been treated unfairly because of your condition.

What is meant by "reasonable adjustments"?

There are a number of factors that determine what is reasonable and what is not. In particular, the size and the resources of the organization would have to be taken into account. For instance, if you are employed by a corner shop, the reasonable changes to be expected are different from those expected if you were employed by a supermarket chain.

Another example is the different requirements for changes to a town hall and the banqueting suite in a large hotel. Since the two are obviously disparate, they would require different changes to be made in order to accommodate the disabled person.


There are many things that have to be taken into account when it comes to persons with a disability under the DDA. What is most important, however, is the fact that the rights of the disabled are protected under the law.