AIBU to think employers aren’t going nearly far enough with adjustments and that ableist attitudes are still totally normalised?

[coffeeandmycats]

I’m honestly so fed up with how “reasonable adjustments” are treated like some kind of special favour or workplace charity. They’re not. They’re a legal duty under the Equality Act, and they exist because without them, disabled people are shut out of employment or slowly squeezed out once they’re in.
Every time someone says “we couldn’t adjust the role” or “it wouldn’t be fair on the team,” what they usually mean is “we didn’t want to deal with it.” And that’s what drives me mad how often laziness, bias or lack of imagination is brushed off as “just being realistic.” That’s not realism. That’s ableism.
Most jobs can be adjusted. If someone can’t do one task but can do everything else why is the answer to push them out, instead of reshuffling the tasks or offering alternatives? We do this all the time in other settings. You wouldn’t chuck a kid out of school because they struggle with stairs. But in work, suddenly job specs are sacred texts.
And now, with the government trying to push more disabled people back into work (often with threats of benefit sanctions), where is the structural support? Employers still get to decide whether something is “reasonable,” even when they’ve shown time and again that they don’t understand or don’t care. That’s not a system that’s a gamble.
We should be encouraging every disabled person denied adjustments to take their employer straight to tribunal. I don’t care if it’s uncomfortable the law needs to be enforced. But also, it shouldn’t have to get that far. There should be an independent ombudsman-style service that employers must subscribe to something that can assess adjustment requests fairly and quickly, without making the disabled person go to war to be heard.
And honestly? If a business can’t afford to make space for disabled people, whether that’s with flexibility, equipment, transport help or task reallocation, then maybe they shouldn’t be in business. If your model only works when everyone is 100% able-bodied, then your model is broken. Shut it down.
AIBU to think we’ve got this totally backwards? That we’re still treating inclusion like a bonus feature instead of a basic requirement? That people who need adjustments are somehow seen as the problem instead of the systems and attitudes around them?
I’m sure this will rub some people the wrong way. Maybe that’s the point.

A 5 month suspension is suspicious in itself. What company would want to drag out any disciplinary that long??

it's a small under 15 person charity. I'm not sure why they are taking so long.

Statistically unlikely for so many in your family to be disabled enough to need adjustments, OP.

he has a neural disorder which causes his feet to swell, people just calling it standard neuropathy.

What else are they supposed to do? They've determined barefoot isn't safe, and he's refusing to wear anything on his feet. He needs to find a larger employer if he wants to be awkward shit.

Finally.

Where this actually ends is they dismiss him for not following H&S procedure, with no prior explanation as to why, and then you try for unfair dismissal.

If they’re following the grievance and disciplinary procedure, they must believe they have grounds.

Why would they suspend someone wanting RA? It doesn't make sense.
All the RAs I've dealt with have been wrapped up in 3-4 weeks max

You took your employer to court for not allowing you to take extra breaks for anxiety?
Why not accept that the job wasn’t right for you and find a job that you don’t need to take extra breaks from?

As an autistic person who is also partially deaf, I knew I could never work in a bar because I would struggle with the background noise and would not be able to hear the punters. It wouldn’t have been fair for me to take the job and then turn up and demand I have extra breaks throughout the shift to calm myself down.
I chose jobs that were suited to my skills.

There’s reasonable adjustments for disabilities and there’s just being ridiculous.

Actually neurodiversity has a strong genetic factor. Although some of the people who need adjustments are self diagnosed as the NHS waiting list is long

It is staggering op that one of your relatives requested a chaperone at interview to read questions, was refused so settled for a few thousand. Another worked for a sales firm but couldn't answer the phone due to nerves despite i presume knowing answering the phone was part of the role, so settled. You've helped what 9 relatives settle?

There is a pattern here isn't there.

So another charity paying out to your family instead of its purpose? Paying a man who isn’t working? Wait, I thought they put the floor in and he got another job? Or is that someone else, I lose track.

I won in court, I was awarded 35k, so no it wasn't ridiculous at all?

But who are you to say what is and isn't fake self-diagnosis?

If people can self-diagnose and claim to have whatever condition without any supporting evidence, who are you to question it?

You've said yourself that most of your family have self diagnosed autism hd ADHD (Today 01:41)

Anyone could call those diagnoses fake, too.

he worked in job a) who put the floor in, 3 weeks later he left for job b, who accommodated his disability well and there was no issue, and now he works for company c, who suspended him.

So yet another small charity falls victim to your family

Hmm.

yes but they are genuine

It's clearly the family business. Then they probably all go and work part time at the cat cafe and claim top up benefits.

all the charity have to do is allow WFH or allow bare feet in the office.

Whatever. He needs footwear on or he'll end up losing his legs. Just light sandals doesnt need to be lace up shoes.

How do you know which self diagnosis is real or not? How can we tell?

According to you

All very sad for those needing genuine adjustments.

well the fact the judge upheld the complaint for my anxiety and awarded me 35k suggests it was real, I also got it diagnosed after

Before we run out of space.

Please do us all a favour and employ the 6 members of your family that keep taking money from businesses and charities that actually need it for meaningful things.

It’s disgusting, and you should stop.