DISCRIMINATION
This content is for signposting purposes.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
I am not a lawyer and this should not be considered legal advice. You should seek appropriate counsel for your own situation.
Please note, this post is directed toward readers in the United Kingdom. If you are engaging in business or other activities outside the United Kingdom, other laws may and will apply.
An Overview of The Law
Laws differ across the UK so please consider this an overview.
Children & Disability Rights
​If your child has a specific need as outlined by the Government - children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) - then this also comes with rights and responsibilities. These are very clearly laid out by the Government and it is worth looking at these in the context of communication disability.
Adults & Disability Rights
Now, let’s consider communication disability in adults. They are also covered by The Equality Act 2010 (and see above) where they meet the definition of ‘disability’ as it is a protected characteristic for all.
If an adult with a communication disability is in education, then she also has rights in relation in education providers’ duties and making reasonable adjustments. Universities are also covered in PSED under The Equality Act, 2010.
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Let’s look at The Care Act 2014 and The Mental Capacity Act 2005 in terms of health and social care for adults with communication disabilities.
And there are millions more who experience the conditions covered (and others not covered) in this blog.
And I’ll be damned if I’m going to let their rights be trampled all over by ignorance, incompetence or ideology.
The UK signed up to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, now let’s fulfil our Treaty obligations.
People with communication disabilities have rights.
People with disabilities have rights.
We must do everything within our power to uphold those rights.
References:
(1) Kim J, Kim M, Yoon JH. 2020. The tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon in older adults with subjective memory complaints. PLoS One. Sep 18;15(9):e0239327.