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A study conducted by the Public Interest Research Unit has found that
discrimination and prejudice against disabled employees is widespread
despite the in the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act
in 1995.
The report found found that the Act had failed to adequately tackle
employment discrimination and recommended that more help be provided
to people wanting to make a discrimination claim.
Reasons offered by people as to why they felt they couldn't make
a claim included:
- Low level of awareness of the Act
- Complex process to make a claim
- Problems getting initial advice
- Fear of victimisation
- Low expectation of success
Carol Stuart McIvor, from the Public Interest Research Unit: "Employers
are quite frightened that it's going to cost them money if they
take action to help people with disabilities.There is a culture
where if you have a disability you're a threat to the employer.
We are saying that that's absolutely not so. If you're rich and
you can afford an employment solicitor for 12 months your chance
of tribunal is good. If you're on your own, if you haven't got a
supportive family or friends, you're not going to go through a tribunal.
It's too threatening."
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