Mind the gap: how Covid-19 measures have highlighted the daily discrimination faced by disabled people

Discrimination based on disability is still apparent and active in 2020. While the Equality Act 2010 stipulates that a person should not be unfairly disadvantaged by reason of disability, discrimination is still rife. It is a big issue that many of our injury clients face on a daily basis. This article identifies areas where disabled people face discrimination, both before and as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The government’s continuing failure to allow benefit appeals to be heard via video conferencing is discriminating against disabled claimants, say welfare rights experts.

Many disabled people are being forced to ask for their tribunals to be postponed, because they are only being offered a telephone hearing, says one disabled people’s organisation.

The tribunal system is not currently running face-to-face hearings because of the pandemic crisis, with judges instead deciding cases on documents alone or by holding a telephone hearing.

Absolut wrote:Trying to get a home shopping delivery has been dreadful. I have a hidden disability. I've ended up using my local co-op up the road for the last 3 months as it's the only place where I haven't been forced to stand and queue for a totally unacceptable amount of time. Standing for long periods causes me tremendous pain. I went to Sainsburys once, queued for ages, and didn't go again. There was nowhere to sit and no shelter. The staff were horrible and acted like the Gestapo. The situation has eased a little recently where I've been able to get 3 home deliveries over the last month, but I will never forget how I was treated by Sainsburys staff and I've avoided the place ever since.