What do we mean by equal opportunities?

Equality doesn't mean treating everybody the same but is about treating everyone fairly and giving them the same access opportunities. It is generally acknowledged that there are seven main diverse groups in society that are particularly likely to experience inequality. These are
- age
- disability
- gender
- religion and belief
- race
- sexuality
- transgender

Age
Unlawful discrimination happens when someone is treated unfavourably because of their age, without justification, or is harassed or victimised because of their age. People can encounter age discrimination at work, in education and in training. Age discrimination law does not currently apply to goods and services, though human rights law may give some protection in these areas.

Disability
The Disability Discrimination Act says a disabled person is someone with "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"

Gender
Unlawful sex discrimination happens when someone is treated unfairly because of their gender. Women, men and transsexual people can all experience sex discrimination. Sex discrimination also includes treating someone less favourably because they are married or in a civil partnership.

Race
It is unlawful for a person to discriminate against another person on racial grounds. The law defines racial grounds as including race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins.

Religion and Belief
Under the Equality Act 2006 it is unlawful for someone to discriminate against you because of your religion or belief or because you hold no religion or belief. There are, however, some limited exceptions when discrimination may be lawful.

Sexuality
Unlawful sexual orientation discrimination happens when someone is treated less favourably due to their sexual orientation, their perceived sexual orientation or the sexual orientation of the people they associate with.

Transgender
It is generally against the law to discriminate against or harass people because they are transgender, or you think they are transgender, or they have a relative or associate who is (or you think is) transgender.