Equality and Human Rights Commission

In almost all cases, people or businesses providing a service to the public or a section of the public must not treat you less favourably than they would treat anyone else on the grounds of your gender, gender reassignment, race, religion and belief, sexual orientation or any disability you may have. This means it is unlawful for them, or anyone working for them, to refuse to provide you with a service, provide a lower standard of service or offer a service on different terms than they would to other people.

Generally, the law covers services provided by individuals and organisations to the public or any section of the public. See a list of examples.

Example

A woman is refused access to a sports ground because she had given evidence in support of a friend’s claim against the sports ground for disability discrimination. This constitutes victimisation. The owners or managers of the sports ground could be liable to legal action.It is unlawful for a service provider to treat you less favourably on the grounds of your own religion or belief, but it may be lawful for them to treat you differently for reasons relating to their own religion or belief.

It is unlawful for service providers to treat disabled people less favourably than others for a reason relating to their disability, unless such treatment can be justified. Find out more about the limited circumstances in which discrimination relating to disability may be lawful

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, service providers must make reasonable adjustments so that disabled customers can use their services.

Example

A person who has undergone or is undergoing gender reassignment may wish to use the facilities in a local sports centre, but may face barriers or discrimination. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has produced guidance about transsexual people taking part in sports (Pdf) available on the Press for Change website. Press for Change has also published guidance for the managers of sports centres in how to help trans people to be able to use their services safely.