Equality and discrimination

The Equality Act 2010 protects you from discrimination if your bleeding disorder qualifies as a disability. Under this law, a disability is a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial, long-term effect on your ability to do normal daily activities. “Long-term” usually means the condition has lasted, or is expected to last, for at least 12 months.

Because every condition affects people differently, your eligibility depends on how your specific symptoms impact your life. If your disorder meets these criteria, you have legal rights in several areas:

• Work: Employers must make reasonable adjustments so you aren’t disadvantaged. This might involve flexible working hours, specialist equipment, or changing certain duties.
• Education: Schools and universities must ensure you have equal access to learning and cannot treat you less favourably because of your health.
• Shops and Services: Businesses like restaurants, banks, and hospitals must make changes to ensure you can use their services easily.
• Housing: Landlords and estate agents cannot refuse to rent or sell to you based on your condition and must accommodate your needs where reasonable.

If you feel you have been treated unfairly, you can contact the Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS) for free advice. You can call them on 0808 800 0082 or visit their website. Specialist legal experts or disability rights organisations can also help you understand your protections and how to take action.