
1 
These Regulations may be cited as the Disability Discrimination (Meaning of Disability) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 and shall come into operation on 4th November 1996.
2 

(1) In these Regulations—
 “the Act” means the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and
 “addiction” includes a dependency.
(2) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
3 

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), addiction to alcohol, nicotine or any other substance is to be treated as not amounting to an impairment for the purposes of the Act.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to an addiction which was originally the result of administration of medically prescribed drugs or other medical treatment.
4 

(1) For the purposes of the Act the following conditions are to be treated as not amounting to impairments:—
(a) a tendency to set fires;
(b) a tendency to steal;
(c) a tendency to physical or sexual abuse of other persons;
(d) exhibitionism; and
(e) voyeurism.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3) for the purposes of the Act the condition known as seasonal allergic rhinitis shall be treated as not amounting to an impairment.
(3) Paragraph (2) shall not prevent that condition from being taken into account for the purposes of the Act where it aggravates the effect of another condition.
5 
For the purposes of paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the Act a severe disfigurement is not to be treated as having a substantial adverse effect on the ability of the person concerned to carry out normal day-to-day activities if it consists of:
(a) a tattoo (which has not been removed); or
(b) a piercing of the body for decorative or other non-medical purposes, including any object attached through the piercing for such purposes.
6 
For the purposes of the Act where a child under six years of age has an impairment which does not have an effect falling within paragraph 4(1) of Schedule 1 to the Act that impairment is to be taken to have a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the ability of that child to carry out normal day-to-day activities where it would normally have a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the ability of a person aged 6 years or over to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Economic Development on 12th September 1996.
W. A. N. Arbuthnot
Assistant Secretary
