The Disability Discrimination Act was a policy passed in the United Kingdom, or UK, to promote equality for disabled individuals in the workplace. The Act originally passed in 1995 and was a hopeful sign for individuals living and working in the UK. While it is meant to promote equality, the Disability Discrimination Act has weaknesses that prevent total equality.

1

Vague Wording

According to Community Care, the wording of the Disability Discrimination Act is vague. The unclear wording of the act opens up loopholes that allow discrimination to continue. While it is meant to promote equality for disabled individuals in the workplace, the act was passed quickly which resulted in unclear terms and wording.

2

Positive Discrimination

Though the act is meant to promote equality for disabled individuals, it does not make provisions regarding positive discrimination. Positive discrimination is discrimination that results in a positive action, such as reduced fees to facilities for individuals in wheelchairs. The act does not provide the same benefits for all individuals with disabilities. For example, an individual in a wheelchair might get a benefit that an individual with a learning disability or mental disability is not provided.

  • Though the act is meant to promote equality for disabled individuals, it does not make provisions regarding positive discrimination.
  • Positive discrimination is discrimination that results in a positive action, such as reduced fees to facilities for individuals in wheelchairs.
3

Disability Definition

According to UK Essays, one of the largest weaknesses of the Disability Discrimination Act is the problem with defining the words "disability" and "discrimination." The definition of disability in the act is loose and difficult to determine. It suggests that a disability is any mental or physical impairment that is long term and it includes illnesses like cancer and HIV, but it does not include some mental illnesses such as depression. This makes it difficult to determine when discrimination occurs because it is difficult to determine when an individual is considered mentally disabled.

  • According to UK Essays, one of the largest weaknesses of the Disability Discrimination Act is the problem with defining the words "disability" and "discrimination."
  • The definition of disability in the act is loose and difficult to determine.