International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Orla Sheils • 3 December 2020

As we celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we remind ourselves that not all disabilities are visible.


For many of us, disability is something that we see, usually a physical impairment and if we notice an individual is experiencing difficulty with for example their mobility, we can accommodate their needs making whatever adjustments are necessary to alleviate any disadvantage they may suffer.

Disability however is not confined to a physical impairment and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 aimed at ending discrimination faced by those disabled, defines disability as “a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day to day activities”.


Mental impairment could be Depression, chronic pain, a hearing impairment, brain injury, learning differences for instance. Identifying that someone has a mental impairment is not easy and we therefore need to rely on individuals to raise this issue with us and feel entirely comfortable in doing so.

Within the employment department at Donnelly & Kinder, we regularly advise and represent individuals who suffer discrimination on the basis of their disability by their colleagues and employers. Such acts can include offensive comments made, denials of opportunities for promotions or training, dismissals on capability grounds and failures to make reasonable adjustments in the workplace. Whilst most employers are aware of their responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, many struggle when dealing with employees who present with a mental impairment.


Adjusting their premises, acquiring new equipment, allocating certain duties to other colleagues,  is something employers have been doing for nearly 25 years now, however when it comes to dealing with a mental impairment many employers simply do not know where to begin and regrettably some employers do not have any desire to fulfil their duties under the legislation.


For those of you who have a mental impairment and meet the test of disability to be covered by the Act, it is important that you realise that you have rights. Your employer is required to consider whether or not it should make reasonable adjustments to your working environment. It is imperative that you take ownership of the issue and set out what you require to assist your employer, through Human Resources, Occupational Health or expert healthcare professionals in making an assessment. Your employer is required to consider what disadvantage you are experiencing in the workplace, the effectiveness of the adjustment you require and the practicality of the adjustment. Your employer will want to investigate the cost to the business in financial terms and any potential disruption to business activity. If you feel that your employer has failed to make reasonable adjustments for you, you may pursue a legal remedy in the Industrial Tribunal.


For those of us who do not have a mental impairment, today is the perfect time to remember that not all disabilities are visible and to reflect on what we can do personally as colleagues and perhaps employers to support and champion the rights of those who do. It may be something as simple as offering a listening ear to someone diagnosed with Depression, assisting a colleague whose cognitive function is impaired with a memory task, or with their reading, writing a report if they have been diagnosed with Dyslexia.


For employers, the best way to ensure fair treatment of those with a mental impairment and compliance with the law is to include those with a mental impairment in your decision making processes whether that is in monitoring recruitment and selection procedures, training, promotion opportunities and pay structures. Messages of inclusivity need to come from senior members of management with mentoring schemes in place to support individuals with the promotion of role models. It is only by taking these measures which are not exhaustive, that the stigma of having a mental impairment and the “disability gap” will be eliminated.


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RESIDENCE

by C Cummings • 14 April 2025
Are you a parent who has recently separated from the father/mother of your children? A relationship breakdown is a painful time for both parents and the children of a family. It can be made even more painful when arrangements for the children cannot be agreed between both parents. Mediation is typically advisable as a means of negotiating a solution in the best interests of the children. However, in some cases mediation is unsuccessful and an application to the Family Court will need to be made. One question that may arise is where the child will reside, this is referred to as the child’s ‘residence’. Residence refers to where a child will live for the majority of the time. When a relationship breaks down, the question of residency can become a disputed matter. Residency can be resolved by agreement; however, the matter may need to be referred to the court. If you wish to receive tailored advice in relation to your individual family circumstance, please contact our team at Donnelly & Kinder Solicitors. A resident parent will be responsible for making the day-to-day decisions concerning the child. However, if the other parent holds Parental Responsibility, their input will be needed for bigger decisions relating to the upbringing of the child. Residency does not need to be court ordered, however, if there is a Residence Order in place this will define were the child lives until they reach the age of 16. In most cases there will be a resident parent, this is the parent with whom the child lives for the majority of the time. The other parent will then be considered the parent who is having ‘contact’ with the child. ‘Contact’ can range from indirect contact such as the exchange of letters, gifts, cards, text messages etc. to direct contact such as overnight stays. Contact arrangements will vary depending on the individual circumstances of each family. Contact can be court ordered by way of a Contact Order or can be simply agreed between the parents. It is also possible that a shared care arrangement can be agreed between the parents. Alternatively, a Joint Residence Order can be made by the court, which creates a shared care arrangement between the parents. If circumstances change after any court order is granted, an application can be made to ask the court to vary or discharge any order made. If the above is relevant to your circumstances, you will require a Solicitor who is both experienced and empathetic. At Donnelly & Kinder Solicitors, we tailor our advice to your own unique circumstances to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your family. We advise on all aspects of family law including Divorce, Matrimonial Agreements, the division of matrimonial finances and Ancillary Relief. Please contact Céadhra on 02890244999 or ccummings@donnellykinder.com for more information

ENDURING POWERS OF ATTORNEY

by Céadhra Cummings • 20 March 2025
When future planning the focus is often on the preparation of a will. The potential that one may lose capacity during their lifetime can be overlooked. Loss of mental capacity can sadly and suddenly happen at any age; the Department of Health has indicated that most people in Northern Ireland will at some point in their life either lack mental capacity or encounter persons who lack capacity. Thankfully, it is possible to nominate Attorneys who can manage your property and financial affairs should mental incapacity arise. An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) allows a person (the Donor) to give another person (their Attorney) authority to act on their behalf in respect of their financial affairs whilst they are still alive but lack capacity. Anyone over the age of 18 with mental capacity can create an EPA. However, if the person no longer has capacity unfortunately it is too late to create an EPA. This is why is it so important when future planning to consider an EPA. An EPA can ease financial stresses for your family at a time of emotional strain. Creating an EPA is inexpensive, yet it can save your family significant future fees, difficulties and delays. Advance planning in legal, financial and personal matters will protect your finances and your independence. Ensuring your affairs are in good order will give you peace of mind and the contentment of knowing that you have taken every action to best protect your interests and that of your family. For further information regarding any of the above or for a free, no obligation discussion please contact us by email on ccummings@donnellykinder.com or call our office on 02890 244 999.

DIVORCE AND FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT

by C CUMMINGS • 3 March 2025
In the wake of the breakdown of a marriage the process of divorce and financial separation can appear overwhelming and confusing. However, it can be made straightforward when the correct advice is given. It is your Solicitor’s responsibility to explain the process thoroughly, so you are able to understand and consider your options. There are two prongs to the breakdown of a marriage, the divorce, and the settlement of the matrimonial finances. It is advisable in most cases that the finances are dealt with in the first instance with a view to coming to an agreement between the parties as to the division of the matrimonial assets. If an agreement can be arrived at, it can be drafted into what is called a Matrimonial Agreement. However, if an agreement cannot be arrived at informally then the matter must proceed to Court for a Judge’s adjudication. In order to apply to the Court for Ancillary Relief (financial settlement) one must petition for divorce. There is only one ground for divorce and that is that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. However, there are five facts that can be relied upon and they are as follows: 1. Two-year separation with consent 2. Five-year separation 3. Unreasonable behaviour 4. Adultery 5. Desertion There are two ‘non-fault’ facts available in this jurisdiction and those are two-year separation with consent and five-year separation. Therefore, it is sometimes necessary for a fault-based petition to be used in order to issue proceedings immediately. Typically couples in this jurisdiction will petition on two-year separation with the consent of both parties. This is seen as one of the most amicable ways to divorce in this jurisdiction but requires a minimum of two years after separation before a petition can be lodged. If you require further advice in relation to divorce or separation, please contact our Céadhra Cummings by phone on 02890 244 999 or by email at ccummings@donnellykinder.com .