What Are the Signs of Disability Discrimination?
Signs of Disability Discrimination
Disability discrimination can take many forms and is often subtle enough that it is not immediately recognizable. However, recognizing some of the most common signs that you are being discriminated against can help you take steps to protect yourself and to fight back.
Direct disability discrimination is when a rule, policy or practice specifically makes it harder for disabled people than it does for other people. For example, if your employer disciplines you for taking time off work to care for a sick child when they have not disciplined other employees for similar absences then this could be considered direct discrimination. Alternatively, if your employer refuses to produce an information leaflet in Braille although other employers do so this could also be indirect discrimination.
Indirect disability discrimination can be less obvious and is when a rule, policy or practice makes it more difficult for disabled people to access a service or carry out their job than it does for other people. For example, your local authority might only provide an information leaflet on audiotape instead of in Braille because they believe this will save money. This could be indirect discrimination as it will make it more difficult for a person with impaired vision to access the information.
What Are the Signs of Disability Discrimination?
Some employers may try to force disabled employees to work beyond their capabilities in order to drive them out of the workplace. This can be a very dangerous and unfair tactic as it puts the employee at risk of injury or illness and can result in disciplinary action or negative reviews. If you have a medical condition such as asthma, chronic or serious back pain, depression or a mental health condition such as anxiety, you should be able to request accommodations that enable you to perform your job duties.
Similarly, if your employer refuses to provide accommodation such as a voice recognition software package for your computer because they claim this will be too expensive but other employers do so for free, this is likely to be indirect discrimination. If you feel that your employer is not meeting their duty to make reasonable adjustments to the way they operate or provide services, it is worth speaking to an expert about disability law.
If you speak up against discriminatory behaviour and are punished as a result, this is called retaliation and can be illegal. This might include being demoted, receiving unfavorable performance reviews or even losing your job.
Discrimination based on a disability is wrong and should not be tolerated. If you have experienced discrimination, don’t suffer in silence – get in touch with the team at Rossman Law Group to discuss your rights and options. A disability lawyer in Boise, Idaho can help you build a strong case for justice and create an inclusive environment. Contact us today to arrange a consultation. It is free and confidential. The law defines a disability as “a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to do normal everyday activities.” It is not restricted to those with obvious visible disabilities but can apply to those who suffer from conditions such as asthma, chronic or serious back pain, blindness, deafness, AIDS, depression and a wide range of other illnesses.