Disability Rights & Accessibility Services

Your Rights Under the Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 is the backbone of disability rights in Great Britain. It consolidates and replaces previous anti-discrimination legislation — including the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 — into a single, comprehensive framework. The Act protects against discrimination in employment, education, access to goods and services, housing, public functions, and private club memberships. It is enforced principally by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), the statutory equality body for England, Scotland, and Wales.

The Act defines disability broadly: a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. “Long-term” means the condition has lasted, or is likely to last, at least 12 months. “Substantial” means more than minor or trivial. Conditions that fluctuate or are controlled by medication — such as epilepsy, diabetes, or depression — are covered if they would have a substantial effect without treatment. The EHRC publishes a detailed Code of Practice that spells out employer and service-provider obligations in plain language.

Reasonable Adjustments: What Employers and Service Providers Must Do

The Equality Act requires employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees, job applicants, and customers. This is not optional — it is a legal duty. Reasonable adjustments may include:

• Changing a physical feature of the building (installing a ramp, widening doorways, adapting toilets).
• Providing auxiliary aids (hearing loops, screen readers, ergonomic keyboards, voice recognition software).
• Changing policies or procedures (allowing flexible working hours, providing information in accessible formats, modifying absence management policies for disability-related leave).
• Redeploying an employee to a suitable alternative role if adjustments in their current role are not possible.

What counts as “reasonable” depends on the size and resources of the organisation, the cost of the adjustment, how much difference it makes, and whether alternative adjustments are available. The EHRC can investigate and enforce against systemic failures. For individual disputes, ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) provides free, impartial early conciliation. Call 0300 123 1100 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM). Most disputes resolve at this stage without reaching an employment tribunal. If conciliation fails, an employment tribunal claim must be brought within three months less one day of the discriminatory act.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP): The Main Working-Age Disability Benefit

Personal Independence Payment (PIP), administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is the main working-age disability benefit. It is not means-tested and is unaffected by savings or employment income. PIP has two components:

• Daily Living Component: Standard rate £72.65 per week; Enhanced rate £108.55 per week. Covers help needed with preparing food, washing, dressing, managing medication, communicating, and budgeting.
• Mobility Component: Standard rate £28.70 per week; Enhanced rate £75.75 per week. Covers planning and following a journey, and moving around.

The assessment evaluates what you can do reliably, safely, repeatedly, and in a reasonable time — not what you can manage on a good day with great effort. The PIP claim line is 0800 121 4433 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). The Disability Service Centre, part of the DWP, handles PIP claims, Disability Living Allowance for children, and Attendance Allowance. The application process is notoriously demanding — forms run to 40 pages and face-to-face assessments can be stressful. Citizens Advice, Scope, and Disability Rights UK all offer free help completing the forms and preparing for assessments. Importantly, around 70% of PIP appeals that reach tribunal are decided in the claimant’s favour, which tells you something about the initial assessment process. If you are turned down, appeal. The tribunal is independent of the DWP and the panel includes a doctor and a disability specialist.

Access to Work: The Scheme Most People Do Not Know About

Access to Work is one of the least-known government programmes and one of the most practically useful. Administered by the DWP, it provides grants for equipment, support workers, travel costs, and workplace adaptations that help disabled people start or stay in work. The grant is not means-tested and does not depend on the employer’s size. Items funded range from screen readers and voice recognition software to British Sign Language interpreters, job coaches for people with learning disabilities, and taxi fares where public transport is not accessible.

You apply directly through gov.uk/access-to-work or by calling the Access to Work helpline. You do not need a job offer to apply — the scheme even covers the extra costs of job interviews. Mental health conditions are fully covered; Access to Work can fund specialist coaching and support for conditions like anxiety and depression. The downside is that processing times can stretch to several months, so apply as early as possible. Once approved, grants are typically renewed annually.

Blue Badge Scheme: Parking and Transport Access

The Blue Badge scheme, administered by local councils under DWP guidance, provides parking concessions for people with severe mobility problems. The badge costs up to £10 in England (£20 in Scotland, free in Wales for some applicants) and allows you to park in disabled bays, on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours (except where loading restrictions apply), and free of charge at on-street parking meters. You apply through your local council — the process takes a few weeks. You do not need to be a driver; you can use the badge as a passenger in any vehicle.

The scheme was extended in August 2019 to include people with hidden disabilities, including dementia, autism, Parkinson’s, and mental health conditions that cause significant psychological distress or risk when walking. If your application is refused, you have a right to appeal through your council’s complaints procedure, and ultimately to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. The Disabled Persons Railcard (£20 for one year, £54 for three years) gives a third off most rail fares for you and an adult companion, and can be applied for at disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk.

The Motability Scheme

The Motability Scheme allows people receiving the enhanced mobility component of PIP (£75.75 per week) or the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance to lease a new car, scooter, or powered wheelchair using their benefit payment. The scheme is operated by Motability Operations Ltd, an independent organisation. The lease includes insurance, servicing, maintenance, and breakdown cover. At the end of the lease (typically three years), you can choose a new vehicle. Full details and vehicle availability are at motability.co.uk.

Accessibility Standards: Buildings, Websites, and Transport

Physical access to buildings is governed by Building Regulations Part M (Access to and Use of Buildings), enforced through local authority building control. New buildings and major renovations must meet requirements for level access, door widths, accessible toilets, and visual contrast. Existing buildings must make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act. The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 require public sector websites and apps to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards and publish accessibility statements. The Government Digital Service (GDS) monitors compliance. If you encounter an inaccessible public sector website, you can complain through the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) on 0808 800 0082.

On transport, the Department for Transport‘s Inclusive Transport Strategy sets targets for making the entire transport network accessible by 2030. Bus and coach operators must comply with the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR). Train operating companies must provide assistance through the Passenger Assist scheme — book via the train company or through the National Rail Passenger Assist app. Airlines and airports have separate obligations under retained EU Regulation 1107/2006 concerning the rights of disabled passengers when travelling by air.

Key Organisations and Helplines

• Scope — Disability equality charity offering free information and support. Helpline: 0808 800 3333 (Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM). Website: scope.org.uk
• Disability Rights UK — National organisation led by disabled people. Helpline: 0330 995 0400 (Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM). Website: disabilityrightsuk.org
• RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) — Support for people with sight loss. Helpline: 0303 123 9999 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM). Website: rnib.org.uk
• RNID (Royal National Institute for Deaf People) — Support for people with hearing loss and tinnitus. Helpline: 0808 808 0123 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Website: rnid.org.uk
• Mencap — Support for people with learning disabilities. Helpline: 0808 808 1111 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Website: mencap.org.uk
• Mind — Mental health charity with disability rights information. Helpline: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM). Website: mind.org.uk
• Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) — Advice on discrimination and equality rights. Helpline: 0808 800 0082 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM). Website: equalityadvisoryservice.com

Summary Contact Table