The complainant, who is legally blind, was denied financial assistance for a visual aid device by the Ministry of Health because he was over 30 years old.
After the Court of Appeal found this age restriction discriminatory, the matter of damages was referred back to the Board of Inquiry.
The Board awarded $7,000 in general damages for the loss of the human right, which included $2,000 specifically for the ten-year delay in resolving the complaint.
The Board also awarded $3,000 for mental anguish, finding the Ministry's institutionalized policy of age discrimination to be wilful.
Interest was ordered on $8,000 of the award.
