Coventry Law Centre : Discrimination advice : Introduction

Getting discrimination advice

We offer a free telephone advice session on all aspects of discrimination law on Wednesday afternoons between 4 p.m and 5.30 p.m. The telephone number is 7625 3169. This telephone service is staffed by one of our specialist employment and discrimination workers. We are happy to give advice over the telephone or to take on cases that need our specialist advocacy and representation skills. Please note that we can only advise on general discrimination matters if you live in Coventry, but we can advise on matters relating specifically to disability discrimination if you live anywhere in the West Midlands Regional Development Area.

If you think that you will need an appointment or representation then it is best to call the advice line first. This will ensure that you get an appointment at the right time and that the relevant information is obtained at the start.

We advise on all aspects of discrimination law for individuals accessing goods and services, and for employees/workers (see employment advice). Discrimination can be unlawful if it is on grounds of sex, race or disability, and in the workplace discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and religion/belief is also unlawful. From October 2006, discrimination on the grounds of age will also be unlawful in the workplace.

Discrimination when accessing goods and services is prohibited in both the private and public sector. Discrimination includes the refusal of a service or the provision of a service on worse terms and, in the case of disability discrimination, a failure to make reasonable adjustments to make a service accessible. If in doubt, call our advice line.

Coventry Law Centre is part of a project supported by the Disability Rights Commission which will appoint Disability Rights Workers in 14 Law Centres around the country. The project aims to provide advice and representation in disability discrimination claims and also raise awareness of the important protections afforded by the Disability Discrimination Act.

Coventry Law Centre is also working in partnership with the East Midlands Law Centre Partnership to raise awareness around the legislation making unlawful discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and religion / belief. The project is funded with money from the DTI and more details can be found on the EMLCP website at http://www.emlcp.org.

The Law Centre has written a range of leaflets on discrimination issues. These can be downloaded from this website or collected from the Law Centre. We can obtain interpreters whenever this is required.