Disability Equality Scheme

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 has been amended by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 so that it now places a duty on all public authorities, when carrying out their functions, to have due regard to the need to:

  • promote equality of opportunity between disabled persons and other persons eliminate discrimination that is unlawful under the Act
  • eliminate harassment of disabled persons that is related to their disabilities
  • promote positive attitudes towards disabled persons
  • encourage participation by disabled persons in public life; and
  • take steps to take account of disabled persons’ disabilities, even where that involves treating disabled persons more favourably than other persons.

This “duty to promote disability equality” will come into force in December 2006.

Shift in emphasis in the DDA

The amendment to the DDA requires a fundamental shift in the way we understand disability and provide for disabled people.

In the past legislation has imposed obligations to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act with the law providing restitution when a disabled person has been discriminated against. In a sense it was “negative”, one had to think about what one was not allowed to do in relation to disabled people.

Under the new Act, public authorities will have a duty to promote disability equality – it requires authorities to adopt a positive pro-active approach, and have due regard to disability equality in all its decision making, activities and services. Under the Act this duty is referred to as the Disability Equality Duty.

It requires the promotion of human rights rather than the policing of them.

What is Charnwood Borough Council doing about the Duty?

All Councils have to produce a Disability Equality Scheme by 4th December 2006.

We are hosting a workshop on the 17th Oct in the Town Hall with the Disability Forum for people with disabilities and organisations that represent them.

If you would like to attend this event or would like further information please contact Sarah Cromie by telephone 01509 634504 or by email sarah.cromie@charnwood.gov.uk

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