The 1995 Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) protects you at work and in education. The terms of the Act say you have a disability if:
- you have a mental or physical impairment
- the impairment has an adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal everyday tasks
- the effect is substantial and long term, ie it lasts for at least 12 months.
At least one aspect of day-to-day life needs to be affected. For ADHD, the key area is memory and the ability to concentrate, learn and understand.
- providers of adult education
- local education authorities.
Education providers cannot discriminate against adult learners with disabilities. They must make reasonable adjustments to make sure you are not disadvantaged.
This could be by:
- changing policies that make it difficult for you to use a particular service
- providing extra classroom aids
- providing the service in a different way.
Policies that help a student with ADHD include:
- having breaks or relaxation exercises during classes
- allowing you to tape-record lectures and tutorials for later reference
- offering you paper copies of slides used in presentations
- repeating instructions
- giving written as well as verbal instructions
- one-to-one monitoring by email or phone calls.
Under the DDA, employers must not discriminate for reasons related to disability unless it can be justified. This applies to:
- application forms
- proficiency tests
- job offers
- terms of employment
- promotion opportunities
- training opportunities
- work-related benefits such as refreshment and recreational facilities.
Since October 2004, the law also applies to employers with fewer than 15 staff.
Who to contact for help
The Equality and Human Rights Commission can give advice if you feel you have been discriminated against: www.equalityhumanrights.com
Personal Independence Payments
You can claim PIP if you need help looking after yourself because of illness or disability. To qualify, you must have needed this help for at least the last three months and expect to need it for another six.
From 8th April 2013 'Personal Independence Payments' (PIPs) have replaced the previously available Disability living allowance (DLA).
You can get PIP even if no one is giving you the care you need. It helps with costs that arise from your disability.
The allowance is split into two parts and the amount you get varies according to your disability.
- Care component: if you need looking after. There is a high, middle and low rate.
- Mobility component: if you need extra help getting around. There is a higher and lower rate.
PIP is not affected by your savings or your wages. It will not be counted as income if you are claiming Income Support or Jobseekers' Allowance.
How to claim
You can get a claim form from your local social security office, benefits agency or Jobcentre Plus. You can also call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a new PIP.
Carers' allowance (CA)
This is paid to full-time carers who spend at least 35 hours a week looking after someone who has been awarded the middle or higher rate of the care component.
If you have ADHD and have a full-time carer, your carer's allowance may affect any other benefits you receive.
How to claim
You can get a claim form from your local social security office, benefits agency or Jobcentre Plus. You can call the Carers' Allowance Unit on 01253 856 123 or apply online.
Further help with queries
- Inland Revenue Helpline: 0845 300 390.
- Benefit Enquiry Line: 0800 882 200 (Monday-Friday 8.30am-6.30pm, Saturday 9am-1pm). Northern Ireland 0800 220 674 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm).
- For further information about Personal Independence Payments.
- For more information about Carer's Allowance.
- Form filling service helpline: 0800 441 144 (Northern Ireland 0800 220 674).
Want to know more on ADHD?
Worried about your child's behaviour? Sometimes it can be hard to work out whether a child's behaviour is normal or the sign of a behavioural disorder.
What is ADHD? Find out what the symptoms are.
What causes ADHD? Scientific research suggests the causes could be largely genetic, combined with some other factors.
Why is ADHD controversial? We look at what the problems are.
Not just a childhood disorder: How is it different to childhood ADHD?
How do I know if I have ADHD? Here are the signs and symptoms.
Getting help: Steps to diagnosis and treatment in adults.
Teenagers with ADHD: Tips for tackling problem behaviour.
Study and work: Listed here are some ideas that can help your teen revise for exams at any level.
One to one: ADHD can have a marked effect on relationships in the teenage years.
Work and ADHD: Find out about ADHD in the workplace.
Study and ADHD: Listed below are things to consider when choosing a course and some practical tips to help you study.
Self-esteem: ADHD can profoundly affect self-esteem.
Tourettes: What is Tourette's syndrome?