How do I know if my disability is covered by the Equality Act?

The Equality says you have to show that you have a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Impairment. Individual physical impairments are not listed in the Equality Act itself, nor in the Code of Practice. Recent court cases are building a body of law on the meaning of impairment. They have applied disability discrimination legislation  to cover: back disorders, depression, asthma and ME (chronic fatigue syndrome). 'Mental impairment' also includes learning difficulties.

Long-term means the disability must have lasted, or can be expected to last, at least 12 months. People with a fluctuating condition that is likely to recur within 12 months are covered. People with progressive conditions, such as cancer or multiple sclerosis, are included from the moment of diagnosis.