Your rights in the UK

The Equality Act 2010 protects disabled people in England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Other laws add duties in education, health, social care and transport.

These summaries are information, not legal advice. Time limits for complaints and claims can be short, so get advice early.

• Employment

  Recruitment, reasonable adjustments at work, sickness absence and unfair treatment.

  Jurisdiction: UK-wide. Last checked 20 July 2026. Next review 20 December 2026.

• Education

  School, college and university support, exam arrangements and SEND processes.

  Jurisdiction: UK-wide. Last checked 15 July 2026. Next review 10 November 2026.

• Housing

  Adaptations, accessible housing, landlords' duties and homelessness support.

  Jurisdiction: UK-wide. Last checked 10 July 2026. Next review 10 January 2027.

• Transport and travel

  Rail and bus assistance, taxis, Blue Badge, air travel and concessions.

  Jurisdiction: UK-wide. Last checked 18 July 2026. Next review 5 December 2026.

• Healthcare

  Accessible information, adjustments in NHS services, consent and advocacy.

  Jurisdiction: UK-wide. Last checked 19 July 2026. Next review 2 December 2026.

• Social care

  Needs assessments, care and support plans, direct payments and carers' rights.

  Jurisdiction: England. Last checked 12 July 2026. Next review 12 January 2027.

• Benefits and financial support

  PIP, Universal Credit, Access to Work, concessions and challenging decisions.

  Jurisdiction: UK-wide. Last checked 20 July 2026. Next review 4 October 2026.

• Discrimination

  The kinds of unlawful treatment covered by the Equality Act 2010.

  Jurisdiction: England & Wales. Last checked 20 July 2026. Next review 18 December 2026.

• Complaints and how to challenge decisions

  Practical routes for complaining about services, councils, the NHS and benefits.

  Jurisdiction: UK-wide. Last checked 16 July 2026. Next review 16 January 2027.

• Goods and services: shops, venues and access

  Your rights when shopping, eating out, banking or visiting venues, including refusals of service and access to premises.

  Jurisdiction: UK-wide. Last checked 1 August 2026. Next review 1 February 2027.

• Digital and website accessibility

  Your rights to accessible websites and apps, including stricter rules for public sector bodies.

  Jurisdiction: UK-wide. Last checked 1 August 2026. Next review 1 February 2027.

• Disability hate crime and reporting

  What counts as disability hate crime, how to report it, and support for victims across the UK.

  Jurisdiction: UK-wide. Last checked 1 August 2026. Next review 1 February 2027.

• Voting and elections accessibility

  Your rights to vote independently and get help at polling stations, by post or by proxy.

  Jurisdiction: UK-wide. Last checked 1 August 2026. Next review 1 February 2027.

• Advocacy, mental capacity and decision-making

  Support to make and communicate your own decisions, and how decisions are made for you if you lack capacity.

  Jurisdiction: UK-wide. Last checked 1 August 2026. Next review 1 February 2027.

Where to get help

• Citizens Advice for free advice on benefits, work, housing and consumer problems.
• Equality Advisory and Support Service for discrimination questions.
• Acas for workplace problems.