Disability Access Consultants

Discrimination is defined as;

• unfair treatment of a person or a group of people, on the basis of prejudice.
• the cognitive process whereby two or more categories are distinguished.
• the sociological term referring to the treatment taken toward or against a person of a certain group or category. Discrimination is the actual behaviour towards another group.
• to perceive or recognise the difference.
• to treat differently on the basis of sex, religion, race, disability, sexual orientation.

There are two (2) main types of discrimination - DIRECT & INDIRECT.

Direct Discrimination is defined as the treatment of an individual to be less favourable than somebody else in a comparable situation. Direct Discrimination is also defined as the treatment of an individual to be less favourable than another on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion & belief, and sexual orientation.

Indirect Discrimination is defined as the injury of rights of certain individuals, stemming from the rigid application of a statute or regulation. Indirect Discrimination is also defined as a rule, policy, practice or procedure that is the same for everyone, but has an unequal or disproportionate effect for a specific groups of people.

Discrimination is everywhere!

Individuals with a disability experience discrimination for a multitude of reasons - namely for physical appearance and ability.

To ensure the chances of discrimination are minimised  the Federal Australian Government, created a unique piece of legislation specific for individuals with a disability.

Following suit the State Governments have also created relevant legislation in order to further protect individuals with a disability from Discrimination - this is known as the Disability Discrimination Act. For example in the state of Victoria, the Equal Opportunity Act is legislation for individuals with a disability, in Victoria, to protect their rights.

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