Secondary Plus

Access all Areas Task 1 Challenging Discrimination Handout

UK ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAW; PROTECTED CHARACTERISTICS

It is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of 9 ‘protected characteristics’. Can you
guess what they are?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

DISCRIMINATION VIDEO (https://vimeo.com/253765506)

Which of the 9 protected characteristics do the students talk about?

What personal experiences do they share?
How do they feel about discrimination?

NEURODIVERSITY VIDEO – GAP FILL (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWxmEv7fOFY)

1. Dr Devon MacEachron explains that neurodiversity is the concept that neurological differences
among people should be _________ and _______ (not treated as disorders).

2. Genetic variants linked to autism can contribute to

➢ exceptional ______ skills

➢ heightened perception in _______, _______ and ______

➢ a precise ____ for _____

➢ an enhanced understanding of systems such as ________

3. Devon advises parents of differently wired kids that they have a choice between trying to change
the ______ to fit the ___________and trying to change the ___________ to fit the ______ .

4. For an individual with autism or ADHD, finding success on their own terms may come from
discovering a particular ________ that fits best and allows their ________ to shine and their
_________ to be minimised.

5. Name 3 of the creative careers she mentions that reward

___________________________________.

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).
 Secondary Plus
USEFUL PHRASES
Watch the teenagers talking about discrimination again.

Tick the expressions you hear them say.

 It’s not fair.

 How would you feel if someone ….?

 I don’t think it’s right.

 Imagine how you would feel.

 It’s never the right thing to do.

 It can make you feel really alone.

 I don’t think it’s ever fair to…

 Put yourself in their position.

 It can really offend people.

 I don’t think anyone should ever …

 What if it was your sister, would you treat them that way?

 You think “Oh, I’m not good enough”.

ROLE PLAY SITUATIONS

1. You see someone calling one of your classmates nasty (disablist) names, such as ‘retard’
and ‘spastic’. You can see that it is making this person feel self-conscious. It is not the first
time you have heard people calling them names.

2. You attend a public secondary school in the UK in which the school uniform code states
that girls must wear skirts and are never allowed to wear trousers to school. You are a girl
who disagrees with this policy. You have been sent home for wearing trousers and called in
to have a meeting with your parents and the head of the school.

3. You notice that your teacher is ignoring one of your classmates who has learning
difficulties. They have told you how sad it makes them feel when they are left out.

4. Your friend has been suffering from bullying due to his ethnic background (he immigrated
to the UK from Pakistan when he was 2 years old). People from your school have been
calling him names and even threatening him. Your friend’s parents don’t speak much English
and he doesn’t want to upset them by telling them what has been going on. You are walking
home from school when one girl walks past and says “Paki”.

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