ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the issue of disability hate speech within the broader context of disability hate crime in the United Kingdom (UK). It discusses the possible motivations behind disability hate speech and the reasons why little focus has been given to this strand of disability hate crime in British criminal law both in terms of its recognition and trial. Disabled people in the UK are known to experience more harassment and hate than their nondisabled counterparts. “Disability” is one of five centrally monitored strands of hate crime, the others being race, religion/faith, sexual orientation, and gender identity. In the UK there are a number of legislative acts to respond to cyber-harassment. These include Malicious Communications, Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, the Protection from Harassment Act, Crime and Disorder Act, Communications Act, and Equality Act. In addition, when disability is taken into account, the harassment could also be addressed under the Disability Discrimination Act, Section 127 for disability hate crime.
