RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.

The following groups of people have rights under the DDA:

  • Disabled people
  • Non-disabled people who believe they have been victimised because they helped a disabled person make a complaint under the DDA.

Who is a disabled person?

"Disabled person" has a specific meaning under the DDA, and is separate from the way that people perceive themselves: it is a legal definition only.

The DDA defines disability as "A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on [the person’s] ability to carry out normal day to day activities." For deaf and hard of hearing people, that would include an "inability to hold a conversation with someone talking in a normal voice" or an "inability to hear and understand another person speaking clearly over the voice telephone".

So, who fits this definition?

  • If you are profoundly deaf and use British Sign Language you are likely to fit this definition of disability.
  • If you wear a hearing aid you may fit the definition, depending on the situation.
  • A minor hearing loss is unlikely to fit the definition.

More information

See our DDA factsheets for more information:

The Disability Rights Commission (external link, opens new browser window) explains in more detail what the DDA defines as a disability.