Resource guide
Equality Act Legal Duty
The Equality Act 2010 includes a duty to make reasonable adjustments where disabled people would otherwise be placed at a substantial disadvantage.
By Calling All Minds·Last updated May 2026
Overview
The legal duty
The duty to make reasonable adjustments means that an organisation may need to take reasonable steps to remove or reduce a substantial disadvantage experienced by a disabled person.
In practice, that can mean changing a policy, adapting a process, providing equipment, changing communication, adjusting working arrangements or making an environment more accessible. The duty exists because treating everyone exactly the same can still produce unequal outcomes.
Structure
Three types of barrier
The reasonable adjustment duty is often explained through three types of barrier:
| Legal route | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Provision, criterion or practice | A rule, policy, process or usual way of doing things creates disadvantage |
| Physical feature | Something about the built environment creates disadvantage |
| Auxiliary aid | A person is disadvantaged because equipment, technology or support is missing |
Definitions
What is substantial disadvantage?
Substantial disadvantage means more than minor or trivial disadvantage. It does not mean the person must be unable to do something altogether. A process can still create substantial disadvantage if it makes access, work or participation much harder because of disability.
Reasonableness
What does reasonable mean?
Reasonable does not mean unlimited. It also does not mean optional whenever an adjustment is inconvenient. A decision may involve considering effectiveness, practicality, cost, organisational resources, impact on the disabled person, and whether alternatives are available.
| Poor response | Better response |
|---|---|
| We treat everyone the same | Let's look at whether the usual process creates a disadvantage |
| We cannot make exceptions | Let's understand the barrier and consider practical options |
| That is too difficult | Let's assess what is reasonable and whether alternatives exist |
Services
Anticipatory duty
In service settings, the duty is often anticipatory. Service providers should think in advance about what disabled people may need rather than waiting until someone is excluded. This is different from many workplace situations, where adjustments are often triggered by an individual's request.
Risk
Failure to adjust
A failure to make reasonable adjustments can create legal risk, damage trust, increase absence and worsen performance issues. Organisations reduce risk when they respond promptly, document decisions, assign ownership and review whether support is working.
AXS Passport supports the operational process around adjustment requests, ensuring that support moves from discussion to action. Explore AXS Passport
Understand the legal duty
The Equality Act 2010 provides the framework. Good practice makes it work in reality.