Disability discrimination case studies

Case studies are provided to help explain the complaints process. They are intended as a guide only and should not be considered or used as legal advice. Outcomes from conciliation vary depending on individual circumstances. Parties to complaints should seek independent legal advice if they require advice about outcomes appropriate to their circumstances. Before lodging a complaint, please speak with an enquiries officer on 1800 670 812.

Employment 

Not enough reasonable adjustments at work
May 2025: Gabriel* is a person with ADHD and Autism.
Disparaging remarks by colleagues
January 2025: Kylie* is a transgender woman who has autism.
Unwelcome jokes made about clothes, race and hairstyle
December 2024: Ahmad* is in his late 50s and was employed as a software engineer.
Denied employment in mine
November 2024: Bob* is an experienced underground miner who sought employment in a local mine.
Demoted after return to work
October 2024: Marisa* lives with chronic Dysthymia, which is a persistent type of depression.
Missed out on bonus by taking sick leave
August 2024: Chantel* has three young children. She also has type 1 diabetes.
Employment terminated after workplace injury
August 2024: Sarah* was employed by a labour hire company and suffered a workplace injury.
Not suitable for job because of mental health conditions
May 2023: Sarah* disclosed in a job interview that she had mental health conditions.
Overlooked for promotion because of psychiatric disability
May 2023: Ivan* felt he was overlooked for promotion because of his psychiatric disability.
Job offer withdrawn after medical exam
March 2023: Karla’s* job offer was withdrawn after a pre-employment medical.
Apprenticeship terminated after report of bullying
December 2022: Ingrid* reported being bullied at work and her apprenticeship was terminated.
Dismissed from work while undertaking IVF treatment
November 2022: Nadia* was trying to fall pregnant while working at a large organisation.
Request to move roles declined
August 2022: Malek* was traumatised by an incident at work.
Workplace unsympathetic to employees family tragedies
July 2022: Adnan* asked for some time off work to travel overseas to support his dying father.
Registered nurse unfairly dismissed due to skin allergy
February 2022: Louise* worked as a casual registered nurse within a hospital.
Terminated from work after cancer treatment
December 2021: Amaani* is a cancer patient who took 11 months of leave from work for treatment.
Not rostered to work over the Christmas period
May 2021: Brittany* worked as a casual shop assistant and had time off on the advice of her doctors.
Negative comments - hearing loss and equipment not provided
April 2021: Margarette* has a significant hearing impairment and wears hearing aids.
Worker with physical disability denied shorter shifts
August 2020: Susan* worked as a casual employee in retail who developed a physical disability.

Education

Passenger not picked up by ride share driver
Gerry* lives with several disabilities, some of which impact how he moves.
School had no-crutches policy
July 2017: Milly* has spina bifida.
Miscommunication on support services
February 2012: Collette* has a psychiatric disability.
Lack of support for hearing impaired students
March 2009: James* and Kathy* are hearing impaired.

Goods and services

Denied access to ground floor toilet
March 2025: Hua* is elderly and lives with her son who owns a unit in a strata complex.
Inadequate care provided to child with cerebral palsy
March 2025: Janelle’s* daughter Lilly* has cerebral palsy and attends an early learning centre.
Stressful experience accessing connecting flight
February 2025: George* lives with anxiety. He has an assistance dog, Bonnie*.
Childcare placement denied following autism disclosure
December 2024: Magda’s* daughter has Autism. Her place was denied following an autism disclosure.
Man with assistance animal refused entry
August 2024: Henry* has a neurological disability resulting from a head injury.
Signature affected by Multiple Sclerosis
December 2022: Syed* has Multiple Sclerosis which has affected his signature.
Customers with disability unable to purchase tickets online
December 2022: Ali* wanted to attend a concert with his son, who has a physical disability.
Man with assistance dog told to sit outside at cafe
December 2022: Dave* was refused entry to a café because they did not allow dogs inside.
Retail store refuses entry to people not wearing face mask
June 2022: Patty* has a medical exemption from wearing a face mask.
Carer banned from attending place of work
May 2022: Feng* runs a stall at a weekly market.
Man with assistance dog told he could not go on hike
April 2022: Sam* has a psychological condition and has a government-accredited assistance dog.
Rare disease is absent from list in life insurance policy
March 2022: Donald* suffers a very rare terminal medical condition.
Correctional facility unprepared for inmate on wheelchair
December 2021: Carl* is an inmate in a correctional centre.
Public library removes access to all quiet spaces
October 2021: Corinne* frequently visits her public library
Refused service despite having medical exemption for mask
October 2021: Wendy* has multiple disabilities and can’t wear a face mask.
Use of goods lift denied to man with cerebral palsy
River* has cerebral palsy and he is unable to use the store escalators without someone’s assistance.
Pedestrian crossing altered making it difficult to navigate
May 2021: Zhang* is blind.
School boy with disability banned from out of school care
February 2021: Emil* is a school-aged boy and was diagnosed with ADHD.
Staff disrespectful to man with psychological disability
November 2020: Elias* lives with severe anxiety.

Accommodation

Mother lodges complaint on behalf of son
July 2022: Julia* applied for a rental property to house her son, who has a disability.
Change in social housing arrangements after hospital stay
June 2022: Nelson* lives in social housing and had a stay in hospital to recuperate from surgery.
Woman with autism intimidated by fellow tenants
March 2022: Amelie* is a woman living with autism.
Bathroom modifications rejected by housing provider
September 2021: Seth* lives in subsidised housing.
Man’s mental health medication causes missed inspection
August 2021: Garrett* has a mental health condition.
Refused lease because of toilet access
October 2013: Zoe* and Lily* have problems with mobility.

Registered clubs 

No access at local club for member on her mobility scooter
October 2021: Ellie* is a member of her local registered club.
Membership application rejected
August 2020: Lachlan* has autism spectrum disorder.
Unfair treatment at sporting event
July 2020: Jason* has Tourette syndrome which causes him to have tics and says things repeatedly.
Amputee refused drinks
September 2013: Gillian* is a below-the-knee amputee and wears a prosthesis.

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