DRC reports that disability claims have risen steeply

RIGHTS: new Act would deal with transport and employment

Disability discrimination claims have risen dramatically over the last year, according to the Disability Rights Commission's (DRC) annual report.

The number of legal cases funded by the DRC has risen 56% from 41 to 64.

Two-thirds of these were employment cases, and the remainder concerned access to goods and services.

The DRC said the cases had, in several instances, led to a commitment to changes in policy.

It is also calling for a new Disability Act to strengthen disability rights, especially in transport and employment.

It is currently consulting on changing the definition of disability.

Earlier this year, more than 40 law firms specialising in disability discrimination signed up to the DRC's newly formed legal panel.

Guy Hollebon of Bristol firm Bevans, which is on the panel, said the increasing number of disability related cases 'is in the most part due to the DRC's work in raising awareness of disabled people's rights and employers' responsibilities'.

However, he said the introduction of the Employment Act next year could well lead to a decrease in tribunal claims as it contains a grievance procedure which encourages employees and employers to settle the case before it reaches tribunal.

Julian Hemming, chairman of the Employment Lawyers Association and a partner at Bristol-based Osborne Clarke, suggested that the number of cases may have gone up due to the increase of workplace stress, which is often cited as a criterion for disability.

Victoria MacCallum