The Equalities Act defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term adverse effect on their ability to perform normal day to day activities. It also covers people who have been diagnosed with HIV, cancer or multiple sclerosis ('substantial' means more than minor or trivial, 'long-term' means that the effect of the impairment has lasted or is likely to last for at least twelve months, 'normal day-to-day activities' include everyday things like eating, washing, walking and going shopping)

The idea of neurodiversity has now been embraced by many other groups, who are using the term as a means of empowerment and to promote the positive qualities possessed by those with a neurological difference. It encourages people to view neurological differences such as autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia as natural and normal variations of the human genome. Furthermore, it encourages them to reject the culturally entrenched negativity which has typically surrounded those that live, learn and view the world differently.