02. When discrimination can happen

Discrimination happens when someone is treated worse ('less favourably' in legal terms) than another person in the same situation. Discrimination may happen:

• at work;
• when buying or using goods and services;
• when buying or renting somewhere to live; or
• at a school or college.

People can be discriminated against for a number of reasons. This leaflet deals with your rights if you are discriminated against because you are disabled.

There are laws to protect you from many kinds of discrimination. They also give you the right to take a claim to an employment tribunal or to court if you think you have been unfairly treated because of a disability.

There are two other Community Legal Service leaflets which you may also find useful:

• 'Equal opportunities', which looks in more detail at the laws on discrimination because of your sex, and also at your rights if you are discriminated against because of your age, your religious beliefs or if you are lesbian or gay.
• 'Racial discrimination', which looks at dealing with discrimination because of your race or nationality.

You may find that you are discriminated against for more than one reason. If this is the case, you may need to get advice about the best course for action.

You can get advice from:

• a trade union;
• your local law centre;
• a Citizens Advice Bureau; or
• a solicitor.