Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Social Inclusion Group

Disability Guidance

Disability Guidance

Photo: DisabilityIN.

Social Inclusion at Warwick is about creating a community for staff and students where differences of culture and identity are celebrated and removing barriers and changing the way things are done to provide an inclusive experience and environment for our staff.

Below we’ve answered some key questions to provide guidance on disability in relation to staff support.

Note: This is non-statutory guidance designed to help you understand and apply University policies – the below does not constitute policy.

Warwick's Adjustments Policy outlines our commitment to providing adjustments for disabled staff.

Disability in the Equality Act

The Equality Act 2010 protects people from direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimisation on the basis of nine 'protected characteristics', one of which is ‘Disability’.

Under the Equality Act, a person is disabled if they have:

“a physical or mental impairment [and] the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on [their] ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.”

The Equality Act protects existing employees (including those on permanent and temporary contracts), casual/freelance workers (e.g., Unitemps and STP), job applicants, and individuals who have accepted but not yet started a job.

What do 'substantial', 'long term', and 'normal day to day activites' mean?
  • ‘Substantial’ means more than minor or trivial i.e., a disability should have an effect beyond common differences in ability to carry out activities.
  • ‘Long term’ means lasted for, or likely to last for, 12 months or the rest of the person’s life if that is less than 12 months.
  • ‘Normal day to day activities’ encompasses the activities relevant to everyday working and non-working life. For example, taking longer with everyday tasks like getting dressed or preparing meals, finding it difficult or avoiding doing normal activities like leaving the house or socialising., or needing to use auxiliary aids such as software, equipment, or an assistance animal daily.
What conditions are considered disabilities under the Act?

Some conditions are deemed to be disabilities from the date of diagnosis, these are: HIV, Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, and sight loss registered with a local authority or ophthalmologist.

There are also times when individuals may not identify as disabled, but are protected under the disability characteristic of the Equality Act. For example, mental health conditions, severe disfigurement, neurodivergence, and menopause (depending on the severity of the symptoms).

In addition, in most circumstances, a person will also be considered disabled under the Act if they were disabled in the past, even if they no longer are.

What conditions are not considered disabilities under the Act?

There are some things which the Equality Act does not consider to be disabilities:

  • Addiction to, or dependency on, alcohol, nicotine, or any other substance.
  • Seasonal allergic rhinitis (e.g., hay fever).
  • Tendency to set fires.
  • Tendency to steal.
  • Tendency to physical or sexual abuse of other persons.
  • Exhibitionism.
  • Voyeurism.

Models of Disability

Disability models are different ways of understanding disability which inform the approach taken to policy, identifying and raising awareness of disablism, and articulating the lived experiences of disabled people.

There are two main models for understanding disability - the social model and the medical model.

The University’s aim is to remove barriers and create an inclusive environment for all, but individuals may still need personal adjustments to enable them to thrive. As such our approach is informed by both the medical and social models.

What is the medical model of disability?

The medical model of disability is a way of thinking about disability based on the biology of mind and body. The medical model suggests that people are disabled by impairments, conditions, or differences. In this view, disabilities can be fixed or managed by medical and other treatments such as medication, surgery, talking therapies, prosthetics, etc.

What is the social model of disability?

The social model of disability is a way of thinking about disability developed by disabled people. The social model says that people are disabled by barriers that stop them from taking part in society in the same way as non-disabled people, not by their health conditions. In this view, disability is created by an inaccessible society where everyone’s needs are not met. Barriers can be physical (e.g., buildings not having accessible toilets), the way information is communicated (e.g., video content which does not include captions), the way organisations work (e.g., inflexibility in working hours or locations), or people’s attitudes (e.g., assuming disabled people cannot do certain things).

Support for Individuals

Learn More

  • As members of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme, we have access to the Hidden Disabilities Index (covering over 900 non-visible disabilities, conditions, and chronic illnesses) and sunflower training videos explaining what hidden disabilities are and how to support someone wearing the Sunflower.
  • In 2018, a new regulation came into force for public sector bodies, this means that our digital communications must be accessible. This includes any work done on apps, documents, email, social media, and webpages. Discover what this means in terms of regulations and best practice on the Digital Accessibility at Warwick webpages.
  • The University’s Disability Taskforce developed the 'Let’s Talk About Disability' campaign to raise awareness of disability in a positive and inclusive way. The campaign consists of instalments celebrating different areas of disability with personal stories and useful links and resources. Instalments so far have included disability history, mental health, autism, D/deaf awareness, assistance dogs, and more.

Read the Social Inclusion Annual Report for more about social inclusion at Warwick and the action we're taking.

The Social Inclusion Annual Report highlights the work that has been taking place across the University over the last year, and how it is helping us to meet our Social Inclusion Strategy objectives to increase the diversity of our staff and student communities, develop an inclusive culture, and become an internationally recognised leader in inclusion.