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Disability Discrimination Unit

The Western Australian Disability Discrimination Unit is a part of Sussex Street Community Law Service Inc. In contrast to other services provided by Sussex Street, the Disability Discrimination Unit services both the metropolitan and country areas of WA.

What is the Disability Discrimination Unit (DDU)?

The DDU provides free information and advice to people who feel they have been discriminated against due to their disability.

What is a disability?

The legislation which makes it unlawful to discriminate against someone due to a disability / impairment includes the following in its definition.
  Physical disability e.g. quadriplegia
  Sensory e.g. blind, deaf
  Intellectual e.g. autism
  Organisms in body which do or are capable of causing disease e.g. HIV
  Psychiatric e.g. Bipolar
  Learning disorder e.g. dyslexia

It covers disabilities in the past, present or that may exist in the future e.g. Heredity diseases such as Huntington's disease.

What legislation governs disability discrimination?

There are two Acts governing disability discrimination;

   1. Disability Discrimination Act 1992 which is federal law; and
   2. Equal Opportunity Act 1984 which is Western Australian law
Our solicitor can discuss with you which legislation is most applicable to your particular case.

What is Unlawful disability discrimination?

Discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably than others. Discrimination can be direct or indirect and includes harassment and being asked discriminatory questions.

   1. Direct discrimination is where a person with a disability is directly treated differently because of the disability
   2. Indirect discrimination is placing some conditions on a person with a disability that they cannot satisfy but that a   person without a;disability could.

Who can complain about disability discrimination?

  A person with a disability
  A person on behalf of a person with a disability, such as a carer or parent of a child with a disability
  A group who have suffered discrimination
  Associates, partners, friends, parents, carers and family members.

What areas of life is it Unlawful to discriminate based on Disability / Impairment?

  Education
  Accommodation
  Goods, services and facilities
  Sport
  Clubs and Associations
  Access e.g. buildings, services, or information
  Insurance and Superannuation
  Employment
  Qualifying bodies
  Advertisements

The Disability Discrimination Act also covers

  Administration or Commonwealth Laws and programs
  Breaches of Disability Standards
  Harassment
The Disability Discrimination Unit also engages in community legal education by informing people about their rights so that they can address issues relating to their or another's disability. If you would like to arrange for someone to provide your group with information on disability discrimination contact the office on 9470 2676.

To make an appointment

In Person:
29 Sussex Street East Victoria Park WA 6101
By Phone:
(08) 6253 9500
Freecall (country only)
1800 642791
TTY
9470 2831
Fax
(08) 9470 1805
Email
sscls@sscls.asn.au
For further information on Disability Discrimination
Equal Opportunity Commission of Western Australia Phone (08) 9216 6900
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Phone 1300 656 419

This service is funded by the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department

 
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