Introduction
About this booklet
If you or someone in your care feels they have been discriminated against or were involved in discrimination, this booklet is designed to help you:
- find out if you have been discriminated against unlawfully
- avoid discrimination, by informing you of your rights
- get a better understanding of disability discrimination law
- make a complaint of disability discrimination.
In this booklet, you will find:
- simple to read information on the laws and processes that protect people from unlawful discrimination
- examples of discrimination that is legal and illegal
- how to go about making a complaint
- what happens when you make a complaint
what outcomes you can pursue in relation to a complaint.
IMPORTANT: This booklet is only a guide so it is always better to call the Disability Discrimination Legal Service (DDLS) and speak with a solicitor. Legal terms can be confusing. DDLS solicitors can give you legal advice and explain anything about this booklet that you don’t understand.
About the Disability Discrimination Legal Service
The Disability Discrimination Legal Service (DDLS) Incorporated is an independent community organisation that specialises in disability discrimination matters. It is a not-for-profit incorporated association that provides free legal service to people with disabilities. It also provides community legal education and works on law and policy reform projects in the areas of disability and discrimination.
A committee of volunteers manages the service. The DDLS Management Committee includes people with disabilities. Many people with disabilities, volunteers and students contribute their efforts to the work of the DDLS.
The DDLS works as an active member of the community legal sector and the disability advocacy sector.
About the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit
The Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU) is unique in Australia as a dedicated resource unit funded to work with disability advocates to promote and protect the rights of people with disability. DARU is delivered by a partnership between the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) and Disability Advocacy Victoria (DAV).
It develops and distributes resources to keep disability advocates informed and up-to-date about issues affecting people with disability in Victoria. It organises forums to provide opportunities for a co-ordinated approach to issues of concern, provides professional development opportunities and undertakes capacity building projects.
Contents
- Introduction
- Part 1: Have I experienced discrimination?
- Part 2: What action can I take?
- Part 3: When is discrimination allowed?
- Part 4: Quick references
- Process flow chart option 1: Complaint submitted with the Australian Human Rights Commission
- Process flow chart option 2: Complaint submitted with the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission
- Process flow chart option 3: Complaint submitted directly with the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal
- Flow chart option 4: Complaint submitted directly with the Fair Work Commission
- Disability Discrimination Checklist