Goldsmiths - University of London

Type of Disability

• Blind or serious visual impairment
• Cognitive impairment (such as autistic spectrum disorder or resulting from head injury)
• Deaf or serious hearing impairment
• General learning disability (such as Down's syndrome)
• Long-standing illness or health condition (such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease, or epilepsy)
• Mental health condition (such as depression or schizophrenia)
• Physical impairment or mobility issues (such as difficulty using arms or using a wheelchair or crutches)
• Specific learning disability (such as dyslexia or dyspraxia)

Only serious visual impairments are covered by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). For example, a person whose eyesight can be corrected through the use of prescription lenses is not covered by the DDA; neither is a simple inability to distinguish between red and green.

The same logic does not apply to hearing aids. If someone needs to wear a hearing aid, then they are likely to be covered by the DDA. However, both hearing and visual impairments have to have a substantial adverse effect on the ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities in order for a person to be covered by the DDA. For more information see the Secretary of State's Revised Guidance on the definition of disability, The Disability Equality Duty.