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The Equality Act
Interactive Guide
The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination and gives disabled people - including neurodivergent people - specific legal rights at work, in education, and when accessing services. Click any card to explore what each part means in practice.
9
Protected characteristics
2010
Year of the Act
The 9 protected characteristics
Protected Characteristic
Age
Protection from age-based discrimination
Characteristic
Protected Characteristic
Disability
Includes most neurodivergent conditions
Characteristic
Protected Characteristic
Gender reassignment
Protection for trans and non-binary people
Characteristic
Protected Characteristic
Marriage & civil partnership
Protection from related discrimination at work
Characteristic
Protected Characteristic
Pregnancy & maternity
Protection during pregnancy and after birth
Characteristic
Protected Characteristic
Race
Includes colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin
Characteristic
Protected Characteristic
Religion or belief
Including no religion or belief
Characteristic
Protected Characteristic
Sex
Protection from sex discrimination
Characteristic
Protected Characteristic
Sexual orientation
Protection regardless of who you are attracted to
Characteristic
The 7 types of discrimination
Type of Discrimination
Direct discrimination
Treating someone worse because of who they are
Discrimination
Type of Discrimination
Indirect discrimination
A rule that disadvantages a group of people
Discrimination
Type of Discrimination
Failure to make reasonable adjustments
A specific duty for disabled people
Discrimination
Type of Discrimination
Discrimination arising from disability
Punishing someone for something caused by their disability
Discrimination
Type of Discrimination
Harassment
Unwanted conduct that violates dignity
Discrimination
Type of Discrimination
Victimisation
Being treated badly for raising concerns
Discrimination
Type of Discrimination
Associative & perceptive
Protection by association or perception
Discrimination
Specific duties relating to disability
Disability Duty
The reasonable adjustments duty
Triggered when a disabled person is at a substantial disadvantage
Duty
Disability Duty
The Public Sector Equality Duty
Public bodies must actively promote equality
Duty
Disability Duty
Anticipatory duty (services & education)
Plan ahead - do not wait to be asked
Duty
Disability Duty
Positive action
Lawful steps to address under-representation
Duty
Apply the Equality Act in your organisation
Our training helps managers, HR teams, and educators turn legal duties into everyday inclusive practice - delivered by neurodivergent professionals with lived experience.