How do I report disability discrimination in the North East of England?
A step-by-step, accessible guide
Short answer
If you experience disability discrimination in the North East of England, you can report it to the organisation involved, seek free support from ACAS or the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS), or take legal action through an Employment Tribunal or County Court.
You do not have to accept discrimination. Under the Equality Act 2010, organisations have a legal duty to treat disabled people fairly and to make reasonable adjustments. Breaking that duty is against the law.
In one sentence: Disability discrimination is illegal - and there are clear steps you can take to challenge it.
Free support - call the EASS helpline
The Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) gives free, confidential advice on discrimination rights.
Phone: 0808 800 0082 (textphone: 0808 800 0084)
Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Saturday 10am-2pm
You can also contact Difference North East for local peer support: differencenortheast.org.uk/take-action
Easy Read: What to do
- Write down what happened, when, where and who was involved.
- Ask for reasonable adjustments in writing.
- Make a formal complaint to the organisation.
- Get free advice from ACAS, Citizens Advice or the EASS.
- Take legal action through a tribunal or court if needed.
- Act quickly - strict time limits apply.
What counts as disability discrimination?
The Equality Act 2010 covers six types of disability discrimination:
- Direct discrimination - being treated worse than others because of your disability
- Indirect discrimination - a rule or policy that disadvantages disabled people, even if it applies to everyone
- Failure to make reasonable adjustments - not making changes that would remove a disadvantage you face
- Discrimination arising from disability - being treated badly because of something connected to your disability
- Harassment - behaviour that violates your dignity or creates a hostile or humiliating environment
- Victimisation - being punished for making or supporting a discrimination complaint
You are also protected if you are discriminated against because someone wrongly thinks you are disabled, or because of your association with a disabled person - for example, a carer or family member.
For more on the framework behind these rights, see our guide to the Social Model of Disability.
Write down what happened
As soon as possible after the incident, record the date, time and location; what was said or done and by whom; how it affected you; and the names of any witnesses. Keep copies of all relevant emails, letters, forms, medical records and screenshots.
A detailed written record is important if you later need to make a formal complaint or legal claim.
Ask for reasonable adjustments
Many cases of discrimination happen because an organisation has not made the adjustments a disabled person needs. Employers, service providers, landlords, schools and universities all have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments.
Put your request in writing and keep a copy. If it is refused or ignored, that refusal can form part of your discrimination complaint.
Make a formal complaint
The right route depends on where the discrimination happened. When you complain, be clear about what happened, which type of discrimination you believe occurred, and what outcome you want - an apology, a policy change, adjustments to be made, or compensation.
At work
- Raise a grievance with your employer following their formal procedure
- If you are a union member, contact your union rep
- Contact ACAS (0300 123 1100) for Early Conciliation
- Make an Employment Tribunal claim if unresolved
Services and businesses
- Complain directly to the business or service provider
- Contact the EASS (0808 800 0082) for advice
- For regulated sectors, complain to the relevant ombudsman
- Make a County Court claim if needed
Housing
- Complain to your landlord or housing association first
- Housing Ombudsman for social housing complaints
- Property Ombudsman for private lettings
- Bring a County Court claim for Equality Act discrimination
Schools
- Follow the school's formal complaints procedure first
- If unresolved, complain to the SEND Tribunal
- Deadline: 6 months from the discriminatory act
- Citizens Advice can help you navigate the process
Colleges and universities
- Use the institution's internal complaints procedure
- Then complain to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA)
- Or bring a County Court claim under the Equality Act
- Disability Law Service offers free legal advice for disabled students
Public services
- Complain directly to the council, NHS trust or public body
- Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman for NHS complaints
- Local Government Ombudsman for council service complaints
- The EHRC can act on systemic public sector failures
Get free advice and support
- Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) - 0808 800 0082 - free advice on discrimination rights across all sectors
- ACAS - 0300 123 1100 - free advice and Early Conciliation for workplace disputes
- Citizens Advice - 0800 144 8848 - free legal guidance on complaints and tribunal claims
- Disability Rights UK - factsheets and guidance on rights and complaints
- Difference North East - peer support, advocacy and signposting across the region
- Law Centres - free or low-cost legal support where available locally
Take legal action if needed
If complaints do not resolve the issue, you may be able to take legal action. If you win, the tribunal or court can order compensation (Employment Tribunal awards are uncapped), a declaration that discrimination occurred, or specific steps such as making reasonable adjustments.
Time limits - act quickly
Discrimination claims have strict deadlines that cannot usually be extended. Get advice as soon as possible - do not wait for an internal complaint to conclude before checking your legal deadline.
| Type of claim | Where | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Workplace discrimination | Employment Tribunal (via ACAS first) | 3 months less one day |
| Services, housing, transport | County Court | 6 months less one day |
| School discrimination | SEND Tribunal | 6 months |
| University discrimination | County Court (via OIA first) | 6 months less one day |
For Employment Tribunal claims, you must contact ACAS for Early Conciliation first. The time limit is paused while that process is running.
Do I need a lawyer?
No. Many people successfully bring complaints and tribunal claims without a lawyer. Free advice from ACAS, Citizens Advice and the EASS can help you understand your options and start the process.
If you cannot afford legal fees, check whether you qualify for Legal Aid or whether your home insurance policy covers legal expenses. Some solicitors take discrimination cases on a no-win no-fee basis.
Do I have to disclose my disability?
No - not unless you want adjustments in a specific context. You are protected from disability discrimination even without formal disclosure, as long as the organisation could reasonably have been expected to know about your disability. To request reasonable adjustments, you will generally need to explain what you need and why - but you do not have to share a diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under the Equality Act 2010, disability discrimination includes direct discrimination (being treated worse because of disability), indirect discrimination (policies that put you at a disadvantage), failure to make reasonable adjustments, harassment, victimisation, and discrimination arising from disability. You are also protected if someone wrongly believes you are disabled, or if you are discriminated against because of your association with a disabled person - for example, if you care for a disabled family member.
For workplace discrimination: raise a grievance with your employer, contact ACAS on 0300 123 1100, or make an Employment Tribunal claim within 3 months less one day. For discrimination by a business or service: complain directly, then contact the EASS on 0808 800 0082 or make a County Court claim within 6 months. For housing: complain to the landlord then the relevant ombudsman or court. For schools: follow the school's complaints process then the SEND Tribunal within 6 months. Contact Difference North East for local support and signposting across all of these routes.
Time limits are strict and cannot usually be extended. For employment discrimination, you must contact ACAS within 3 months less one day of the discriminatory act before starting a tribunal claim. For services, housing and most other areas, you must bring a County Court claim within 6 months less one day. For school discrimination, the SEND Tribunal deadline is 6 months. Get advice as soon as possible - do not wait to see how an internal complaint resolves before checking your legal deadline.
No. Many complaints and tribunal claims can be started without a lawyer. Free advice is available from Citizens Advice, ACAS (0300 123 1100 for work disputes), the EASS (0808 800 0082), and Difference North East. If you want legal representation, you may qualify for Legal Aid if you are on a low income, or a solicitor may take your case on a no-win no-fee basis. Some home insurance policies also cover legal expenses.
The EASS is a free, confidential helpline funded by the Government that advises people affected by discrimination. Call 0808 800 0082 (textphone: 0808 800 0084), Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm. They can help you understand your rights, identify what type of discrimination you may have experienced, and decide whether to complain or take legal action. You do not need to have already made a complaint to call them.
No. You are protected from discrimination even without formal disclosure, as long as the organisation could reasonably have been expected to know about your disability. To request specific reasonable adjustments, you will generally need to explain what you need and why - but you do not have to share a diagnosis. You can describe the barriers you face and what would help.
Need support right now?
Difference North East is a disabled-led organisation supporting disabled people across the North East to challenge discrimination, know their rights, and access justice.