I thought narcolepsy was recognised as a disability as you can claim (DLA Disability living Allowance). There is no such thing as a list of disabilities as this is now against our human rights more of a list od things which show a disability.

when reading the details for the petition it says the two tick rule doesn't apply to narcoleptics and thats why everyone attempting to claim D.L.A experiences difficulties i know it took me personally 3 attempts and only then with the intervention of citizens advice. if this helps i thought it was worth signing!

The DLA scope of disability is different from the DDA scope of disability.

DLA focusses on actual physical care needs whereas DDA focusses on conditions under which employers need to make reasonable adjustments.

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

I can testify that, having been through an employment tribunal, narcolepsy has been acknowledged as a disability, but this is done on a case-by-case basis, i had to provide a statement that demonstrated that my condition, as it affects me personally, did satisfy each element of the DDA definition.

The two ticks symbol is a recognition given by Jobcentre Plus to employers who have agreed to make certain positive commitments regarding the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled people.

These commitments are:

* to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy and to consider them on their abilities
* to ensure there is a mechanism in place to discuss, at any time but at least once a year, with disabled employees, what both parties can do to make sure disabled employees can develop and use their abilities
* to make every effort when employees become disabled to make sure they stay in employment
* to take action to ensure that all employees develop the appropriate level of disability awareness needed to make sure these commitments work
* to review these commitments each year and assess what has been achieved, plan ways to improve on them and let employees and Jobcentre Plus know about progress and future plans

It doesn't matter whether an employer has the two ticks symbol or not, every employer is bound by the DDA, the ones with the symbol are simply the ones who have made an effort to get the symbol awarded to them by the Jobcentre, however i for one can vouch that they do not always stick by those commitments, as i am having real difficulties with the 2nd 'two ticks' employer i have worked for.

I think the reason for the petition is that it is not individually defined in 'The Disability Handbook' that is used by benefits officers, like other conditions like CFS/ME are.

Definitely worth signing to get it more recognised, i've already signed it.

My belief is that when employers break discrimination laws, it is illegal and should be treated as a crime, not a civil matter.

When people are protected, allegedly, by the Act, they should have automatic access to free legal help, this is not the case, when discriminated against, if you are earning over a certain threshold you have to pay for legal help. I dont earn a good wage, only work part-time, and was 2 a month over this threshold.

done...............