Equality, Rights and Responsibilities

According to the Equality Act 2010 a mental health condition is considered a disability if it has a long-term effect on your normal day-to-day activity

‘Long term’ means it lasts, or is likely to last, for 12 months or more.

‘Normal day-to-day activity’ means things that you do regularly in a normal day. Such as interacting with people, working at set times, having to stand or sit for extended periods.

ASD and ADHD are considered disabilities under the equality act (as are other neurodevelopmental conditions such as Learning Disability).

People with mental health difficulties and/or neurodevelopmental conditions such as ASD and ADHD have their rights protected under the following organisations and Government Acts:
The Care Act (2014): http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/23/contents
The Equality Act (2010): http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents
Trade Unions: https://www.tuc.org.uk/resource/mental-health-and-workplace

Further information about disability rights can be found at:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/legal-rights/
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/legal-rights/disability-discrimination/overview/
https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/rights-restrictions/mental-health-laws/
https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/rights-restrictions/rights-and-restrictions/
https://www.gov.uk/rights-disabled-person
https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities/rights

People with ASD have their rights further protected by additional government acts and guidelines:
The Autism Act (2009; 2011; 2015): http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/15/pdfs/ukpga_20090015_en.pdf
The Adult Autism Strategy (2010): https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/422338/autism-guidance.pdf
Think Autism (2014): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/think-autism-an-update-to-the-government-adult-autism-strategy

Additional information can be found at:
http://network.autism.org.uk/knowledge/policy-guidance/what-does-care-act-mean-people-autism-spectrum
http://www.autism.org.uk/about/strategy.aspx
https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/Autism.pdf

Mind has some helpful information on many issues relating to your rights such as advocacy, discrimination and consent to treatment, on the following page:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/legal-rights/

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