Disability & Justice — UK Guide

police, courts, victims, witnesses, appropriate adults, legal rights, education support, Disabled Students’ Allowance, 
apprenticeships and adult learning.

Police Accessibility

Disabled people should be able to report crime, give evidence, communicate with police and access police services safely.

Police should consider reasonable adjustments for people with:

  • Physical disabilities
  • Learning disabilities
  • Autism
  • ADHD
  • Mental health conditions
  • Dementia
  • Brain injury
  • Speech or communication difficulties
  • Sight loss
  • Hearing loss
  • Long-term illness

Support may include:

  • British Sign Language interpreter
  • Easy read information
  • Extra time to explain things
  • Communication support
  • Quiet interview room
  • Breaks
  • Support person
  • Appropriate adult
  • Home visit where appropriate
  • Accessible police station
  • Written information in an accessible format

Disabled people may need extra support when dealing with police or going to court.

Useful links:

 

Court Accessibility

Courts and tribunals must consider reasonable adjustments so disabled people can take part fairly.

You may be able to ask for:

  • Step-free access
  • Hearing loop
  • Interpreter
  • BSL support
  • Large print documents
  • Easy read documents
  • Extra breaks
  • Remote hearing where suitable
  • Support worker or carer attendance
  • Quiet waiting area
  • Video link
  • Adjusted start times
  • Help understanding court forms
  • Assistance with communication

HMCTS explains that reasonable adjustments can include large print, hearing enhancement systems, ramps and lifts so people can access services in the same way as non-disabled people.

Useful links:

 

Victim Support

Disabled people can be victims of crime, abuse, hate crime, harassment, financial abuse, domestic abuse, exploitation or neglect.

Victim Support offers free, confidential support for victims and witnesses, including a 24/7 Supportline.

Victim support can help with:

  • Emotional support
  • Safety planning
  • Reporting crime
  • Understanding court processes
  • Hate crime support
  • Domestic abuse support
  • Support after harassment or threats
  • Support after fraud or financial abuse

Contact:

 

Witness Support

Disabled witnesses may need adjustments to give evidence safely and clearly.

Support may include:

  • Screens in court
  • Video evidence
  • Communication support
  • Registered intermediary
  • Breaks
  • Separate waiting area
  • Support from Witness Service
  • Accessible formats
  • Help understanding questions

The Victims’ Code explains rights for victims from reporting a crime through to after trial.

Useful links:

 

Appropriate Adults

An appropriate adult supports a child or vulnerable adult when they are detained, interviewed or questioned by police.

This may apply where someone has:

  • Learning disability
  • Autism
  • Mental health condition
  • Brain injury
  • Dementia
  • Communication difficulties
  • Difficulty understanding their rights
  • Difficulty understanding police procedures

GOV.UK guidance says the appropriate adult’s role is to safeguard the child or vulnerable person’s rights, entitlements and welfare.

An appropriate adult may help by:

  • Supporting communication
  • Helping the person understand rights
  • Checking police act fairly
  • Supporting during interviews
  • Raising concerns with police
  • Helping the person understand what is happening

Useful links:

 

Legal Rights

Disabled people may have legal protections under:

  • Equality Act 2010
  • Human Rights Act 1998
  • Mental Capacity Act 2005
  • Care Act 2014
  • Children and Families Act 2014
  • Victims’ Code
  • Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 codes
  • UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The UK Government’s 2026 evidence review notes that the Public Sector Equality Duty requires public authorities to eliminate discrimination, advance equality and foster good relations, and that access to justice requires appropriate adjustments to legal processes.

Useful links:

 

Disability Hate Crime

Disability hate crime can include abuse, threats, assault, harassment, damage to property, online abuse or exploitation because someone is disabled or perceived to be disabled.

Report to:

Examples:

  • Being targeted because of mobility aids
  • Abuse about autism, mental health or learning disability
  • Threats linked to disability benefits
  • Mate crime or exploitation
  • Online harassment
  • Abuse from neighbours, carers or strangers

 

Legal Advice & Legal Aid

Legal aid may help with certain cases, depending on the issue and financial eligibility.

It may cover some matters involving:

  • Domestic abuse
  • Child protection
  • Family court
  • Housing possession
  • Homelessness
  • Serious disrepair
  • Community care
  • Mental health
  • Discrimination
  • Some education issues

Useful links:

Contacts:

  • Civil Legal Advice: 0345 345 4345
  • Citizens Advice: 0800 144 8848

 

Family Court & Disability

Disabled parents, carers and children may need reasonable adjustments in family court.

This can include:

  • Extra time
  • Accessible rooms
  • Remote attendance
  • Breaks
  • Easy read documents
  • Help with communication
  • Support person
  • Interpreters
  • Adjusted hearing arrangements

Family court issues may include:

  • Child arrangements
  • Parental responsibility
  • Domestic abuse
  • Care proceedings
  • Child maintenance disputes
  • Financial arrangements
  • Disability-related parenting support

Useful links:

 

Disabled Students’ Allowance

Disabled Students’ Allowance, known as DSA, can help students with extra study-related costs caused by a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty.

GOV.UK says students in England can apply for DSA if they have a disability that affects their ability to study.

DSA may help with:

  • Specialist software
  • Assistive technology
  • Study skills support
  • Specialist mentoring
  • Travel costs linked to disability
  • Equipment
  • Non-medical helper support

Useful links:

 

Apprenticeships & Disability Support

Disabled apprentices can ask for reasonable adjustments and support.

Support may include:

  • Extra learning support
  • Workplace adjustments
  • Assistive technology
  • Flexible learning
  • Communication support
  • Access to Work
  • Adjusted assessments

Official apprenticeship guidance says providers should support learners with learning difficulties and disabilities, and Access to Work can offer grants to apprentices for reasonable adjustments.

Useful links:

Access to Work:

  • Telephone: 0800 121 7479
  • Textphone: 0800 121 7579

 

Adult Learning & Disability Support

Disabled adults may be able to access support for:

  • English and maths courses
  • Digital skills
  • Community learning
  • College courses
  • Retraining
  • Supported internships
  • Employment training
  • Distance learning
  • Skills bootcamps

Support may include:

  • Reasonable adjustments
  • Learning support
  • Assistive technology
  • Accessible materials
  • Extra time
  • Study support
  • Specialist tutors
  • Communication support

Useful links:

 

Complaints About Police, Courts or Legal Services

Police complaints

If police fail to make reasonable adjustments, refuse support, mishandle a disability-related matter or treat someone unfairly, complain to the police force first.

Useful link:

  • Police complaints: https://www.police.uk/pu/contact-the-police/complain-about-the-police/

Court complaints

If the issue is about court service, accessibility, staff or administration, complain to HMCTS.

Useful link:

 

Solicitor complaints

Useful links:

Key Support Links

 

Quick Checklist

✓ Ask for reasonable adjustments early
✓ Put requests in writing where possible
✓ Keep copies of letters, emails and evidence
✓ Ask for an appropriate adult if needed at the police station
✓ Ask for court adjustments before the hearing
✓ Contact Victim Support if affected by crime
✓ Use legal aid checker for serious legal issues
✓ Apply for DSA if disability affects study
✓ Ask for Access to Work if disability affects work or apprenticeship
✓ Get advice from Citizens Advice, EASS, a law centre or specialist charity if unsure

 

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