Your Rights

Although not fully incorporated into UK law, the UK has committed to:

• supporting independent living
• providing choice and control over support
• promoting community participation
• ensuring Disabled people are involved in decisions affecting them

AoD and other DDPOs actively promote these rights.

Legal framework: UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled People – Article 19 (Right to Independent Living)

Disabled adults have rights to:

• an assessment of their needs
• personalised care and support
• information and advice
• advocacy in certain circumstances
• support for carers
• Direct Payments
• safeguarding and wellbeing protections

These duties ensure care is tailored to individual needs and promotes independent living.

Legal framework: Care Act 2014

Direct Payments allow Disabled people to receive their support budget directly so they can choose, arrange and manage the care that works best for them, including employing Personal Assistants.

Legal framework: Care Act 2014; Care and Support (Direct Payments) Regulations 2014

Often forgotten, but important for families supporting Disabled adults or children.This includes:

• right to a Carer’s Assessment
• support for carers
• involvement in planning

Legal framework: Care Act 2014

Often forgotten, but important for families supporting Disabled adults or children.This includes:

• right to a Carer’s Assessment
• support for carers
• involvement in planning

Legal framework: Care Act 2014

Social model aligned when framed correctly:

• right to be assumed to have capacity
• support to make decisions
• right to best-interest decision if needed

Legal framework: Mental Capacity Act 2005

Disabled adults have the right to protection from abuse and neglect, including:

• accessible safeguarding processes
• involvement in decisions
• support to raise concerns

Legal framework: Care Act 2014

Under housing law and the Equality Act, Disabled people have rights to:

• accessible or adapted housing
• reasonable adjustments
• protection against discrimination from landlords or housing associations

Legal framework: Equality Act 2010; Housing Act 1996

Disabled pupils and students have the right to fully accessible and inclusive education.

This includes:

• reasonable adjustments in teaching, exams, policies and physical ace
• accessible learning materials (e.g. BSL, captions, large print, Easy Read, digital formats
• support plans, including EHCPs (in England)
• adjustments for exams and assessments
• anti-discrimination protections in admissions, teaching, discipline and exclusions
• inclusive curriculum and accessible technology
• Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) for students in higher education
• accessible placements, work experience and apprenticeships
• involvement in decisions affecting support, learning and participation
• transport to school/college, if required and eligible
• safeguarding that includes accessibility and communication needs

These rights apply across early years, schools, colleges, apprenticeships and universities.

Legal framework: Equality Act 2010; Children and Families Act 2014 (EHCPs); Student Support Regulations (DSA)

Disabled people have rights to fair treatment and accessible workplaces.

This includes:

• reasonable adjustments in recruitment, interviews and at work
• accessible workplaces, equipment and communication
• flexible working arrangements where reasonable
• non-discriminatory recruitment, promotion and training
• protection against discrimination, harassment and unfair dismissal
• accessible policies, processes and performance management
• Access to Work support for adjustments, travel, equipment and workplace assistance
• involvement in decisions about adjustments and support
• equal access to training, apprenticeships and career development

Legal framework: Equality Act 2010 – Employment Provisions; Access to Work Scheme (DWP)

 

Disabled people have the right to accessible, safe and usable transport services.

This includes:

• accessible vehicles, including buses, trains, taxis and community transport
• accessible stations and stops, with lifts, ramps and clear signage
• assistance at stations and during travel
• priority seating and accessible spaces
• accessible information, including audio-visual announcements and digital updates
• reasonable adjustments for Disabled passengers
• non-discriminatory taxi and private hire services
• Blue Badge scheme for parking
• accessible transport policies in local authorities and transport bodies

Legal framework: Equality Act 2010; Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations; Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations; Taxis & Private Hire Vehicle Regulations

 

Disabled people have the right to accessible environments, information and services across daily life.

This includes:

• accessible buildings and public spaces
• step-free entry, ramps, lifts and accessible toilets
• accessible transport, vehicles, stations and assistance
• accessible communication and information (BSL, captions, Easy Read, large print, digital formats)
• accessible websites, apps and digital services
• reasonable adjustments in how services are delivered
• accessible signage, lighting and wayfinding
• accessible emergency procedures and safety information
• participation in planning and consultations on accessibility changes

Legal framework: Equality Act 2010; Public Sector Equality Duty; Accessible Information Standard; Transport Accessibility Regulations

Disabled people have the right to accessible, non-discriminatory healthcare and communication that meets their needs.

This includes:

• reasonable adjustments in appointments, treatment and hospital environments
• accessible communication, including BSL, interpreters, captions, Easy Read and large print
• accessible appointment systems (online, phone, text, in-person)
• information provided in your preferred format
• removal of physical and sensory barriers in GP surgeries and hospitals
• choice and control over treatment decisions
• advocacy support where needed
• non-discriminatory treatment and equal access to health services
• personalised care planning that considers access needs
• accessible complaints processes

Legal framework: Equality Act 2010; NHS Accessible Information Standard; Health and Social Care Act 2012

Disabled people have rights to:

• accessible benefit processes
• reasonable adjustments in assessments
• support during decision-making

Legal framework: Equality Act 2010; Social Security Regulations

Disabled people have the right to vote independently, privately and on an equal basis with others.

This includes:

• accessible polling stations, entrances and voting booths
• reasonable adjustments to enable independent voting
• accessible information on candidates and elections
• support with voting, including assistance from a companion or staff
• accessible postal voting options
• tactile voting devices and large-print guides
• accessible voter ID processes
• non-discriminatory treatment during all voting processes

Legal framework: Elections Act 2022; Equality Act 2010; Electoral Commission Guidance

Disabled people have the right to equal access when using shops, venues, services and online platforms.

This includes:

• reasonable adjustments in how services are delivered
• accessible shops, venues and leisure facilities
• accessible websites, apps and digital services
• non-discriminatory treatment when buying goods or using services
• accessible customer service, including communication support
• clear, accessible information about products and services
• accessible complaints processes
• fair access to repairs, refunds and replacements

Legal framework: Equality Act 2010 – Provision of Services; Consumer Rights Act 2015

Disabled people have the right to equal access when using shops, venues, services and online platforms.

This includes:

• reasonable adjustments in how services are delivered
• accessible shops, venues and leisure facilities
• accessible websites, apps and digital services
• non-discriminatory treatment when buying goods or using services
• accessible customer service, including communication support
• clear, accessible information about products and services
• accessible complaints processes
• fair access to repairs, refunds and replacements

Legal framework: Equality Act 2010 – Provision of Services; Consumer Rights Act 2015