The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA 1995) is a UK parliamentary act of 1995, which makes it unlawful to discriminate against people in respect of their disabilities in relation to employment, the provision of goods and services, education and transport. It is a civil rights law. Other countries use constitutional, social rights or criminal law to make similar provisions. The Equality and Human Rights Commission provides support for the Act. Equivalent legislation exists in Northern Ireland, which is enforced by the Northern Ireland Equality Commission.

It is still permissible for employers to have reasonable medical criteria for employment, and to expect adequate performance from all employees once any reasonable adjustments have been made.

In addition to imposing obligations on employers, the DDA 1995 places duties on service providers and requires "reasonable adjustments" to be made when providing access to goods, facilities, services and premises.

What is a Developmental Disability?

"Developmental Disability" is a broad term that refers to a variety of conditions that interfere with a person's ability to function in everyday activities. Chapter 393, Florida Statutes, defines developmental disabilities as spina bifida, autism, cerebral palsy, Prader-Willi syndrome and mental retardation. "Developmentally disability person" means any person who suffers from a condition of a mental retardation,cerbral palsy, or other disability which causes the person to be substantially unabvle to protect himself/herself from the abusive conduct of others.

• Spina Bifida means a divided backbone or spine. When a person has spina bifida, the spine and the cord inside the spine do not grow the way most spines grow. Normally, the spinal cord carries messages from the brain to other parts of the body, but when a person has spina bifida, the spinal cord does not carry all of the messages to the rest of the body.

• Autism is a condition characterized by impairment in social interactions and communication abilities and unusual or restricted ranges of play and interest. Autism results in social isolation and varying degrees of unusual behaviors.Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neuroligical disorder that affects the functioning of the brain,autism and its associated behaviors have been estimated to occur in as many as 1 in 500 indivdiduals.Autism is four more times as prevalent in boys than in girls and no racial,ethic or social boundaries.more info....www.autism-society.org

• Asperger's Syndrome: is characterized by impairments in social interactions and the presence of restricted interests and activities ,with no clinically significant, general delay in language, and testing in the range of average to above intelligence.
  

• Cerebral Palsy (CP) - "Cerebral" means the brain. "Palsy" means moving of the muscles in a way that the person can't control. It refers to a group of motor disabilities that arise because of injury to the developing brain before or during birth or during the first year of life. These motor disabilities do not get worse over time. Cerebral palsy keeps the brain from telling the rest of the body some of the things it is supposed to do. Despite significant motor impairment, many people with CP have normal intelligence.

• Mental Retardation refers to significant limitations in functioning related to sub-average intelligence with onset prior to the age of 18 and expected to last indefinitely. People who have mental retardation learn more slowly that other people and might need assistance in areas like communication, self-care, self-direction, health and safety, leisure, work and functional academics. While the term is still clinically correct, "intellectual disability" is becoming the preferred term.

• Prader-Willi Syndrome is an inherited condition. A severe lack of muscle tone and failure to thrive are present in early infancy. Later on, excessive drive to eat usually leads to significant weight problems. Obsessive-compulsive behaviors and difficulty with social interactions are often present. People with Prader-Willi syndrome are usually short with small hands and feet. They typically are mildly mentally retarded.

• Down Syndrome: have distinct physical characteristics, generally they are usually smaller , and their physical and mental developments are slower.
  

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: is a pattern of mental and physical defects which develops in some unborn babbies when the mother drinks too much alcohol during pregnancy.Some babies with alcohol-related birth defects, inculding smaller body size,lower birth weight and other impairments.
  

• Fragile X Syndrome: is also called Martin -Bell syndrome, is a genetic disorder and is the most common form of inherited mental retardation.This exhibit autistic type behaviors , such as poor eye contact,hand flapping or odd gestures movements, hand biting, and poor sensory skills.
  

• Prader-Willi Syndrome: is a complex genetic disorder that includes short stature,mental retardation or learning disabilities,incomplete sexual development,characteristic behavior promblems , low muscle tone, and an involuntary urge to eat

  constantly.

• Williams Syndrome: is a genetic disorder . Usually they experience developmental delays; milestones such as walking,talking, toilet training and have similar facial features.
  

• Epilepsy: is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons , in the brain sometimes signal abnormally. It may cause strange sensations,emotions, and behavior or sometimes convulsions,muscle spasms, and loss consciousness.