‘I was made to feel a nuisance' – Lords to hear what it's like to fight disability discrimination
Next week, on Tuesday 8 December, the House of Lords Committee on the Equality Act 2010 and Disability will ask disabled people about their experience seeking justice against discrimination.
The Committee will quiz two couples who have had experience of trying to fight disability discrimination, from formal complaints procedures through to the Ombudsmen and the courts. The Committee will also hear from Carers UK, for their perspective on tackling discrimination.
One witness, Andrew Brenton, had to settle out of court following what he claims were repeated instances of disability discrimination by his university. In written evidence already submitted to the Committee, he said that after several attempts at seeking redress he was ‘made to feel like he was simply a nuisance'.
The witnesses, giving evidence at 3.45pm, are:
- Emily Holzhausen OBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Carers UK
- Michèle Brenton and Andrew Brenton
- Jeanine Blamires and David Blamires
Questions which the Committee will put to the panel will include:
- Given your experiences, what changes would you like to see to the courts process when seeking justice?
- Would you have preferred going to a disability ombudsman?
- What is your experience of reasonable adjustments, and of forcing institutions to make changes?
- How aware are you of the rights of carers under the Equality Act 2010?
- Does the Act cater well enough for carers who are disabled?
- Does the Equality Act 2010 need extra powers to safeguard carer-friendly public spaces and services?
The evidence sessions will start at 3.20pm, on Tuesday 8 December, in Committee Room 4a of the House of Lords.
