Disability hate refers to incidents that you or anyone else was motivated by hostility or prejudice against someone’s disability.
You can be the victim of a disability hate crime whether you’re disabled or not. You may be targeted if you’re disabled but someone doesn’t believe that you are, or if someone believes you’re disabled when you’re not. You can also be the victim of a disability hate incident because of your association with someone who is disabled.
Disability hate does not only refer to physical disabilities but can also affect those who have hidden disabilities such as chronic illnesses.
Examples of disability hate: An example of disability hate would be if someone questions your disability. For example, if you have a hidden disability and someone tries to limit your access to disabled spaces, such as disabled toilets or disabled parking bays. Other forms of disability hate may include vandalism of mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walking sticks, or attacks on assistance dogs.
Independent specialist support (UK specific)
- Disability Information Scotland provide access to reliable, impartial, accurate and helpful information for those with disabilities as well as their families, carers and those who work with them. They can provide advice and support on a range of issues, including practicalities of access and accessibility, education and employment, and equality and disability rights. Call the helpline on 0300 323 9961 or text 0798 436 7599. You can also email info@disabilityscot.org.uk.
- Regard is a charity that provides information, advice and support to LGBTQ+ disabled people. They operate as a self-help group with a variety of resources accessible on their website. They don’t offer advice or support on a profe
- Grapevine Disability Information provides support for disabled people living in Edinburgh on anything which related to disability, long-term conditions or older people. The advice line offers specialist advice and information to empower disabled people to take up their rights and entitlements. Call 0131 475 2370 or email grapevine@lothiancil.org.uk. The advice line is available 10:00-16:00, Monday to Friday.
- The Scottish Autism Advice Line provides advice and support to adults with autism across Scotland. Call 01259 222022 or email advice@scottishautism.org. The helpline is available 10:00-16:00, Tuesday to Friday.
- Victim Support Scotland provides free and confidential help to victims of crime, their family, friends and anyone else affected. They give information, and emotional and practical support. Call 0800 160 1985. The helpline is available 08:00-20:00 Monday to Friday, and 09:00-01:00 on Saturday. You can also contact them via their webchat service, or by completing the online Self-Referral form.