Legislation and Rights
Disability-Related Discrimination
By Ida Petretta
‘Hidden in Plain-Sight’ Report key findings
The Equality and Human Rights Commission launched a formal Inquiry into disability-related harassment which has recently published its findings in the 'Hidden in Plain-Sight' Report. The inquiry investigated for 18 months the experiences of disabled people using a wide-range of methods including interviews and examining existing reports. The full ‘Hidden in Plain Sight Report’ can be accessed by clicking on the following link http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/disabilityfi/ehrc_hidden_in_plain_sight_3.pdf
Key Findings of the Report Include:
· Many disabled people experience harassment as “common place”. Many disabled people do not report harassment which means harassment is “largely hidden”. (Page 163)
· Many witnesses believed that harassment is caused by historic prejudices whereby disabled people represented as ‘object of pity’ rather than equal members of society. (Page 163)
· The ‘different’ treatment of disabled persons may have been reinforced by recent past legislation such as until the Sexual Offences Act (2003) there was a 2 year maximum penalty for raping persons with a learning difficulties compared to a maximum life for a non-disabled person. (Page 164)
· The recent history of disabled people being “hidden away” from society in segregated schools and employment may have contributed to the prejudices towards disabled people (Page 164)
· Failure of public authorities and public transport operators to tackle harassment effectively (Page 165)
· Lack of recognition and prevention of disability-related harassment (Page 165)
To access the full ‘Hidden in Plain-Sight’ Report, the Easy-Read version and an Executive Summary through the Equality and Human Rights Commission website please click on the following link http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/legal-and-policy/inquiries-and-assessments/inquiry-into-disability-related-harassment/hidden-in-plain-sight-the-inquiry-final-report/
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