You probably don't know

Many people have hidden disabilities which mean they don't show physical signs. Hidden disabilities include learning difficulties, mental health, speech, visual or hearing impairments. They can also include asthma and other lung conditions, as well as chronic illnesses such as diabetes. 

Disabilities affect each person in a different way. They can be painful, exhausting, and isolating. Without visible evidence of the hidden disability, it is often difficult for others to acknowledge the challenges faced by the person.

Is there a definition?

The Equality Act 2010 sets out when someone is considered to be disabled and protected from discrimination.

It says you’re disabled if you have a physical or mental impairment and that impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

The definition is wide ranging and includes progressive conditions. People automatically meet the disability definition under the Equality Act 2010 from the day they are diagnosed with HIV infection, cancer or multiple sclerosis.

The Citizens Advice website has clear information about what is defined as a disability. Gov.UK also explains the definition in more detail. 

What does this mean for me? 

Businesses providing goods or services like shops, cafes and cinemas must take positive steps to remove the barriers faced by disabled people. This is to ensure disabled people receive the same services, as far as this is possible, as someone who's not disabled. The Equality Act 2010 calls this the duty to make reasonable adjustments. These can include things like:

• Providing extra aids such as an induction loop or providing menus in large font.
• Changing the way things are done. A member of staff could provide a chair for the customer and bring the product to them.
• Change physical features like the colour of walls and doorways so that visually impaired people or people living with Dementia can visualise the space better 

You can find out further information about reasonable adjustments on the Citizens Advice website. 

Face coverings

Your premises may be a place where customers, or your staff, must wear a face covering by law. In settings where face coverings are required, there are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear a face covering. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances, noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings, and that the reasons for this may not be visible to others. This includes but is not limited to:

• people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
• where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause severe distress
• if a person is speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate

For further information please visit the Gov.UK webpage.