AN EMPLOYMENT tribunal has ruled that a London college discriminated on grounds of disability against its own disability officer.

Michael Lambert, who is blind, is disability officer at Lewisham and Southwark College in south London.

After being appointed he repeatedly asked the college to install special computer software to help him do his job but was told it would be “too expensive” despite the fact that by law the college should have made “reasonable” adjustments to meet Mr Lambert’s needs.

The college then decided to carry out a “restructuring” exercise. It included an assessment involving a written test for staff, needing access to computer databases and other material not available to Mr Lambert.

The tribunal ruled that the college’s failure put Mr Lambert at a “substantial disadvantage” against colleagues taking part in the assessment and concluded that the college had discriminated against him because of his disability.

University and College Union (UCU) general secretary Sally Hunt said: “It’s absolutely unacceptable that the college failed on so many occasions to address Mr Lambert’s needs, and that his personal wellbeing and professional development suffered as a result.

“The ruling reinforces the need for colleges to swiftly act upon requests from disabled staff for reasonable adjustments.”

Mr Lambert said: “I am grateful for the support of UCU and my counsel. This result should send a clear message to employers that they need to take requests for reasonable adjustments seriously.”