Disability Discrimination Act 1995 - Guidance on Matters to be Taken into Account in Determining Questions Relating to the Definition of

This guidance is issued by the Secretary of State, under section three of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

It concerns the definition of disability in the Act.

The definition of disability has a number of elements.

The guidance covers each of these elements in turn. Each section contains an explanation of the relevant provisions of the Act which supplement the basic definition, and guidance and examples are provided when necessary.

Part two of this guidance relates to matters to be taken into account when considering whether an effect is substantial and/or long term.

This guidance does not impose any legal obligations itself, nor is it an authoratitative statement of the law.

However, under section 3 (3) of the Act it is required that an industrial tribunal or a court, which is determining for any purpose of the Act whether a person's impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities, must take into account any of this guidance which appears to be relevant.