DISABLED

DISABLED

There are estimated to be approximately 325,000 people in the Republic of Ireland classified as having a disability. The rights of disabled people are protected by the Equal Status Act 2000, and the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004. Under the Equal Status Act 2000, "disability" means-

(a) the total or partial absence of a person's bodily or mental functions, including the absence of a part of a person's body,

(b) the presence in the body of organisms causing, or likely to cause, chronic disease or illness,

(d) a condition or malfunction which results in a person learning differently from a person without the condition or malfunction, or

(e) a condition, disease or illness which affects a person's thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgement or which results in disturbed behaviour; Impairments might not always be obvious, and many people may not identify themselves in this way. Society's attitude towards this concept might also affect whether an individual is prepared to disclose this fact. The following are some suggestions for dealing with individuals who may have particular disabilities. i.e. DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING, LOSS OF SIGHT