The Equality Act 2010 is designed to give us rights and protection as an individual. It covers nine ‘protected characteristics’:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion and belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
Basically this means that you should not be treated differently or in anyway less favourably than anyone else just because of one of these characteristics.
'Human rights' are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world. The Human Rights Act 1998 sets out the fundamental rights and freedoms that individuals in the UK have access to.
Legislation is complex and if you feel that you have suffered from discrimination you need to seek advice. A good starting point is the official body responsible for ensuring that the legislation is working:
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission deals with all aspects of equality.
- DirectGov is an easy to use site with lots of information on legislation around people's rights.
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SWRDAS Salford Welfare Rights Service can help you too
Salford Welfare Rights & Debt Advice Service
Crompton House
100 Chorley Road
Swinton
Salford M27 6PB
0161-793 3550
- You can also talk to your Personal Adviser.
You can use the library in your Connexions Centre as it has information to read or take away. You could also go to Weblinx for more useful websites.