Claimant v The Active Learning Trust Limited t/a Chantry Academy

Outcome

Facts

Mr Harrison has been employed as a Duty Manager since 1 January 2019. He brought tribunal proceedings on 7 December 2023. A preliminary hearing was held to determine whether he met the definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010 for the period 1 January 2019 to 7 December 2023. Harrison was diagnosed with dyslexia three times: in Year 7 (1998-99), at college (2003-04), and in April 2024. He provided evidence of substantial effects on day-to-day activities including reading, writing, processing information, social communication, driving, and online transactions, requiring significant accommodations and support from his wife.

Decision

The tribunal found that Mr Harrison has dyslexia which substantially affects his day-to-day activities including writing, reading, social participation, driving and processing instructions. The effects are more than trivial and are long-term (lifelong since childhood). He therefore met the definition of a disabled person under the Equality Act 2010 for the relevant period. The respondent's challenges to his credibility based on LinkedIn entries were rejected, as Harrison explained these reflected work done by his network of colleagues.

Practical note

Legal authorities cited