What is discrimination?

Discrimination is simply different treatment, causing harm. Discrimination may:

  • Impose a burden, obligation, or disadvantage, which is not imposed on other people; 
  • Result from the failure to consider the true needs and capacity of a person, or from negative stereotypes or assumptions about a person’s abilities; 
  • Result from a single individual, or as a result of a system of policies and practices within an organization or government; or, 
  • Result in limits on access to opportunities, benefits or advantages available to other members of society.