Mrs Coleman cared for her disabled son but was not disabled herself. When she sought time off work to care for him her employer called her ‘lazy’ and accused her of attempting to manipulate her work conditions. She brought a claim under the DDA arguing she had suffered discrimination by association with her son’s disability.

The tribunal held, at a preliminary hearing, that the DDA did extend to protect people associated with a disabled person from discrimination and harassment. The case will now proceed to trial on the merits of the claim.