Do I have a disability?

outspokenmute

How can i find out what classifies as a disability?

I have visual stress syndrome...

I find it almost impossible to read hard copies of anything and quite difficult to read anything off a computer screen. Have a sensitivity to light and have frequent migraines and headaches. My eyes are always sore and focus poorly.

I am returning to college and work.

I am looking to see if i can/need to state it when applying for jobs, as a disability...

If i can get any additional help (financial or otherwise) when studying and returning to work...

Any help would be appreciated

TIA x

Annisele

So far as the Equality Act is concerned, a disability is

a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.

(source).

It's certainly possible visual stress syndrome would count as a disability, but it depends how much it affects you - the definition is more about the effect on you than it is about diagnosis.

You can declare it when applying for jobs, whether you should is another matter. Again, I think it depends on the severity of your condition and what the job is that you're applying for. If want to do graphics processing but you're unable to look at a screen at all, it's unlikely the employer would be able to come up with any reasonable adjustments at all. If you want to be a teacher adjustments should be easier.