Disability discrimination act

It is well established that people with psychiatric disorders are much less likely to be in employment than are other members of the general population (Boardman, 2003). This raises issues of both social justice and preservation of health. Work contributes to our physical and mental well-being and has particular relevance for those with psychiatric disabilities. Assisting people to retain or gain work after an acute illness or when they have long-term mental health problems is part of the rehabilitative efforts of mental health services. There is a tendency for mental health professionals and others to under-estimate the capacities and skills of their clients and possibly to overestimate the risk to employers. This may extend to general practitioners and employers who give insufficient attention to helping people retain or return to their jobs. It is thus important that we have knowledge, not just of assessments for work and available facilities, but of the legislation that might affect employment. In the UK, the most significant legislation in terms of promoting increased employment opportunity is the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Other relevant law, including legislation directly affecting clinicians, is listed in Box 1. The Government is also committed to introducing legislation to debar employment discrimination on grounds of age, religion/belief and sexual orientation. This paper deals with the Disability Discrimination Act and its implications for psychiatrists. The Act has been particularly important in relation to employment, but can also be used to challenge discrimination in the provision of goods and services, and in all parts of the education sector. These areas are also discussed. The disability rights movement and mental health issues The Disability Discrimination Act was passed in 1995, following concerted campaigning by the British disability movement over several decades. This campaign included documentation of the