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Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) protects Australians against being treated unfairly or harassed based on a disability they have, have had in the past or may have in the future. The DDA gives Australians with disability the right to have every fair opportunity to participate in society on the same basis as people without disability. To find out whether the DDA applies to a particular type of disability see the What is a Disability? page.

The DDA says that it is the responsibility of an employer or education/training provider to make adjustments (that are reasonable) to the way things are done to help the person with disability to participate and meet the inherent requirements of a job or studies. For more information see the Australian Human Rights Commission's brief guide to the Disability Discrimination Act on their website.

In some cases, the DDA says that an employer or institution does not have to make particular adjustments if they are unable to afford the changes needed or the changes would affect others unfairly.

Under the DDA if a person with disability feels they are being discriminated against or harassed that they have the right to make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission. To find out more about the Australian Human Rights Commission.

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