Equality

• English
• Special Education

Equality

Equality is about treating two or more people in exactly the same way, regardless of what they

need as individuals.

Fairness

Fairness is about treating someone in a way that helps give them what they need. 

Scenario 1

Martha and some of her friends have started talking in class and they keep talking over the

teacher. They are not listening and it is distracting the whole class.

The teacher decides that the whole class needs to stay in at lunchtime and write out the

classroom rules. 

Fair or Equal?

Fair

Equal

Neither

Both

Scenario 2

Samuel is a quiet young person who doesn’t put his hand up very often in class and doesn’t

volunteer for speaking parts in the end of year play.

Jessica is confident and she attends drama classes. She enjoys putting her hand up in class

and answering questions. Jessica was one of the narrators in last year’s play.

The class teacher has to decide who is going to have each part in the play. She decides to cast

Samuel as a narrator so that he gets the opportunity to stand up and speak in front of others.

Jessica is asked to be in the choir because she has a lovely singing voice.

Fair or Equal?

Fair

Equal

Neither

Both

Scenario 3

Kai’s dad runs the local football team. Every week he has to decide who will be the ‘Player

of the Match’ and will be able to take home a trophy to show their family.

Kai’s dad always gives the trophy to the other players and doesn’t give it to Kai.

Kai’s dad doesn’t choose his son because he is trying to show the other players that he is

fair to them. The other players think Kai is really good and they don’t understand why Kai

never gets the trophy.

Fair or Equal?

Fair

Equal

Neither

Both

How could Kai’s dad make the situation fair?

How could he make it equal?

True or False?

Equality means everyone must look the same.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

Equality means everyone must behave in the same way.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

Equality means everyone is valued equally as individuals.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

Equality means everyone has equal rights under the law.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

Equality means everyone must hold the same beliefs.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

Equality means everyone has equal access to social resources such as healthcare, education and housing.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

Equality means no one is discriminated against because of an aspect of their identity

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

Equality means no one is prevented from achieving their potential because of social barriers such as class

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

Now try to write a short definition of equality (in your own words - o copy and paste!!)

gender

race

age

disability

faith/ beliefs

sexual orientation

both younger and older people are entitled to the same job opportunities 

men and women should be entitled to the same pay and opportunities at work

A hotel cannot refuse to provide accommodation to a same-sex couple if they have rooms available 

A landlord cannot refuse to rent a property to someone because of their ethnicity, despite the applicant meeting all other qualifications.

Restaurants must make access possible for wheelchair users

Wearing a hijab or turban at work cannot be banned.