The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) came into force in 1996 and gives rights to disabled people in the areas of employment, access to goods and services and in education.
In Part I of the Act a disabled person is defined as someone 'with a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term effect on his or her ability to carry out day-to-day activities'.The Act covers a very wide range of disabilities and includes people who have had a disability previously.
Part II of the Act, which came into force on 2 December 1996, protects disabled employees and jobseekers against discrimination. It requires employers of 15 or more staff to make sure that disabled people can work for them.This may mean that employers have to make changes to their recruitment procedures, work practices or to their premises. It is intended to extend the coverage of the Act to include small employers in 2004.
Part III of the Act places duties on those providing goods and services to the public not to discriminate against disabled people. First, in 1996, a duty was placed on service providers not to discriminate against disabled people by refusing them service, providing them service on worse terms, or providing a lower standard of service. In October 1999, service providers were required to provide reasonable alternatives where access is impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people. The final rights, which come into force in October 2004, require reasonable adjustments to physical features of premises.
The Disability Discrimination Act 3 Part IV of the Act contains provisions relating to education. The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (SENDA) 2001 amended the DDA to bring education within the scope of the Act; it came into force on 2 September 2002.
Regulations made under Part V set access standards for land-based vehicles.Transport infrastructure (rail, bus stations, airports, etc.) is covered by Part III of the Act.
The Disability Rights Commission
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) was set up by the Government to work towards the elimination of discrimination against disabled people; promote the equalisation of opportunities for, and encourage good practice in the treatment of disabled people; and to keep the operation of the DDA under review. The DRC provides information and advice to disabled people, businesses and the public at large on a wide range of issues relating to disability. If you would like information or advice on any aspect of the DDA you can contact the DRC.
Information line: 0845 7622633;
Textphone: 0845 7622644;
Fax: 0845 7778878;
Email: enquiry@drc-gb.org.
Or write to: DRC Helpline, Freepost, MID 02164, Stratford upon Avon CV37 9BR.
The European Year of Disabled People - 2003
2003 has been designated the European Year of Disabled People. Its aim is to achieve real change and improvement in the rights of disabled people across Europe.The main event is a campaign bus that will travel across Europe to raise awareness among the general public of the rights of disabled people. It will visit the UK in June 2003.
In addition extra funding has been made available for specific projects.The total UK-wide budget is £2.3 million which is being used to fund 171 projects throughout the UK. Further information on the European Year can be obtained from the website:www.disability.gov.uk.
