Disability Impact Statement Template: Step-by-Step Legal Guide UK

Key Takeaways

1. A disability impact statement explains how your condition affects normal daily life and is crucial evidence for UK tribunals.
2. Your statement must clearly meet the Equality Act 2010 definition of disability, showing a substantial and long-term impact on your ability to carry out regular activities.
3. If your disability impact statement lacks detail or evidence, your claim could be rejected or not taken seriously by the tribunal.
4. Strengthen your statement with up-to-date medical evidence, such as GP or consultant letters, to meet tribunal expectations.
5. Using a compliant disability impact statement template helps ensure you address all necessary legal requirements for UK tribunals.
6. Go-Legal AI offers easy-to-follow tools and checklists that guide you through drafting a robust statement compliant with Section 6 of the Equality Act.
7. Real-life examples and practical checklists help avoid mistakes that could result in costly delays or disputes.
8. Precise evidence and clarity in your statement are essential for securing reasonable adjustments or additional support during employment or tribunal processes.
9. Go-Legal AI is rated Excellent on Trustpilot with over 170 five-star reviews from users.

How to Write a Disability Impact Statement for UK Tribunals: Step-by-Step Guide

Many people—especially individuals, small business owners, or parents advocating for their children—struggle to explain how a condition or impairment affects day-to-day life when presenting a claim to a UK tribunal. If your statement is unclear or incomplete, you risk missing out on essential support, reasonable adjustments, or a fair hearing.

This comprehensive guide sets out how to write a disability impact statement that meets the stringent requirements of the Equality Act 2010. You’ll find a clear structure for your statement, key information the tribunal needs, practical examples, and advice on supporting your case with the right evidence.

With our AI-driven templates, checklists, and legal tips, you can draft a compliant and persuasive disability impact statement that helps you present the strongest possible case.

What Is a Disability Impact Statement and When Is One Needed?

A disability impact statement is a written account, in your own words, of how your medical condition or impairment makes daily activities harder. In England and Wales, tribunals—such as employment tribunals, SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) tribunals, and welfare benefit appeals—often require this statement if there is any doubt over whether you meet the legal definition of “disabled”.

• Use first-hand, specific examples that bring your daily experience to life.
• Avoid generic statements; detail the precise ways your condition affects your activities.

For a ready-to-use template, use our AI-powered document builder and avoid hours of confusing paperwork or risk missing vital details.

The Purpose of a Disability Impact Statement in UK Tribunals

UK tribunals must decide if your health condition fits the Section 6 Equality Act 2010 definition of disability: a physical or mental impairment with a substantial, long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal daily activities. Your impact statement helps the tribunal understand how your impairment affects you in real-world terms and why you may need reasonable adjustments or other remedies.

Using our step-by-step template, you can present your lived experience in a way that addresses exactly what UK tribunals need to see.

Meeting the Equality Act 2010: Key Legal Criteria for Your Statement

To be covered by Section 6 of the Equality Act 2010, your disability must:

• Be a physical or mental impairment
• Have a “substantial” (more than minor or trivial) effect
• Be “long-term” (lasting or expected to last 12 months or more)
• Impact your ability to do normal daily activities (such as standing, walking, eating, communicating, remembering information, or social interaction)

Your impact statement should address each of these points with clear, practical examples.

Use our platform’s guided prompts for each legal criterion to ensure your statement ticks every box required under the Equality Act.

Essential Elements to Include: Disability Impact Statement Checklist

A detailed and persuasive disability impact statement for a UK tribunal should always cover:

1. Personal Details: Your name, case/reference number, and contact information.
2. Description of Your Condition: History and diagnosis, in simple, everyday terms.
3. Specific Evidence of Impact: Clearly set out how your symptoms limit normal activities at home, work, or in education.
4. Duration of Difficulties: Evidence showing that your symptoms have lasted, or are likely to last, at least 12 months.
5. Aids, Adaptations, or Adjustments Needed: Any support or adjustments you require to manage daily life.
6. Supporting Documentation: Medical letters, reports, support plans, or testimony from those who know you well.

Our fillable, lawyer-approved disability impact statement template ensures you never miss a key detail.

How to Draft a Tribunal-Ready Disability Impact Statement (UK): Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Download and open our disability impact statement template, built by legal experts.
2. Begin with your personal details and the tribunal/case number for clear identification.
3. Describe your diagnosis and the main symptoms affecting you, using your everyday language.
4. List each daily activity affected, and describe exactly how your condition limits you—use practical, relatable examples for maximum clarity.
5. Set out the duration you have experienced these difficulties and whether they are likely to continue.
6. Collate supporting evidence, such as GP or consultant letters, therapy notes, or support plans.
7. Conclude with a signed declaration confirming your statement’s truth and accuracy.

What Evidence Will Strengthen My Disability Impact Statement?

Detailed, recent, and relevant evidence is essential to support your claim and corroborate your personal statement. Tribunals prefer:

• GP letters clearly stating your diagnosis and describing specific functional limitations
• Consultant or specialist reports confirming your prognosis and ongoing needs
• Occupational health or therapy assessments covering practical day-to-day difficulties
• School or workplace documents (support plans, adjustments, attendance records)
• Written or verbal statements from family, carers, teachers, or colleagues who have witnessed your impairment

With our platform, you can securely upload evidence for instant, AI-powered compliance checks before submission.

Strong vs. Weak: Example of a Disability Impact Statement for a UK Tribunal

Seeing a worked example brings the process to life.

Strong Statement Example:

“I have had severe rheumatoid arthritis for three years. I cannot use stairs, lift anything heavier than a mug, or type for more than 10 minutes at a time. I experience pain and severe fatigue on a daily basis. Due to this, I have been unable to travel to the office since last year and require flexible working hours. My GP has documented these difficulties, and my occupational health report states that permanent workplace adjustments are essential.”

Weak Statement Example:

“Sometimes my condition makes things difficult, and I get tired at work.”

Draft your own detailed, tribunal-ready statement using our interactive template and avoid common mistakes that could put your claim at risk.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Disability Impact Statement

Protect your claim by steering clear of these frequent pitfalls:

• Being too vague: Failing to specify which daily tasks are restricted and how.
• Missing legal tests: Not addressing “substantial” and “long-term” effects as defined by the Equality Act.
• No supporting evidence: Relying solely on your personal account without independent proof.
• Inconsistent information: Contradictions between your statement and your medical records.
• Not keeping information updated: Failing to reflect changes in your condition or new evidence.

Disability Impact Statement vs. Medical Report: What’s the Legal Difference?

A disability impact statement and a medical report each play a distinct, vital role in tribunal cases under the Equality Act 2010.

• Disability Impact Statement: Your detailed, first-person account describing how your impairment restricts everyday activities. It covers daily challenges and provides context for how you function at home, in work, or educational settings.
• Medical Report: Evidence from a clinician, such as a GP or specialist, confirming your diagnosis, the likely prognosis, and how your symptoms manifest.

Tribunals assess both together, checking that your lived experience aligns with the professional evidence and addresses all legal requirements.

Leverage our AI review tools for advice on presenting a coherent, consistent case, so your claim is as robust as possible.

How Go-Legal AI Makes Disability Impact Statements Effortless

Our platform eliminates uncertainty and complexity from the tribunal process:

• Draft statements for employment, SEND, or benefits tribunals using AI-powered prompts tailored for each scenario.
• Use our compliance checklists to ensure you meet all legal requirements under the Equality Act 2010.
• Upload drafts and supporting documents for instant feedback and a readiness check.
• Download lawyer-approved statements that are accepted by UK tribunals and courts.
• Choose on-demand legal support if you need extra reassurance.

Take control and avoid costly mistakes—use our AI platform to generate and check your disability impact statement, ensuring it’s fit for tribunal submission from the start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a disability impact statement legally required for all UK tribunals?

Tribunals usually request a statement if your disability status is disputed under the Equality Act 2010, particularly in employment, SEND, or welfare claims. It’s best practice to have one prepared if your disability may be called into question.

How long should my disability impact statement be?

Focus on clarity and completeness; one to three pages is typical. Use detail and evidence as needed, not length.

Can I write my own statement or do I need a solicitor?

You should use your own words. For complex cases, you can access drafting or review support from our on-demand legal experts.

What if my condition changes after submitting my statement?

Inform the tribunal promptly and submit an updated statement along with fresh medical evidence.

Do employment tribunals use different rules for these statements?

The core legal standard is the Equality Act Section 6 test, but your statement should emphasise how your condition impacts your particular job duties.

Can I use a template for SEND tribunal disability statements?

Yes—but ensure the template captures educational impacts. Our templates are customisable for SEND and other specific tribunal needs.

What evidence do I need to attach to prove disability?

Include relevant, recent GP letters, consultant reports, care plans, or statements from people who know your situation well.

How does the tribunal assess if my daily activities are impacted?

They compare your statement with supporting evidence, checking for detail, consistency, and credibility.

Can Go-Legal AI help review my completed statement?

Yes, our AI review tool instantly checks for completeness and compliance with tribunal standards.

Is a disability impact statement different from a witness statement?

Yes. Your disability impact statement focuses solely on explaining how your condition affects you under the Equality Act; it is your own factual account.

Prepare a Tribunal-Ready Disability Impact Statement with Go-Legal AI

Precision, clarity, and credible evidence are vital when preparing a disability impact statement for any UK tribunal. A vague or incomplete statement risks having your disability dismissed or your claim rejected, potentially denying you access to essential adjustments or support.

With our lawyer-approved templates, intelligent review tools, and expert guidance, you can build a statement that covers every legal requirement and puts your real-life challenges front and centre. Take the stress out of tribunal preparation—create, review, and submit your documents with confidence and support at every step.

Ready to get started? Use our AI-powered statement builder today and give your claim the best possible foundation.