Disability Equality Scheme
The Disability Equality Duty came into force on 4 December 2006. There is a general duty which applies to all public authorities, plus additional specific duties to support the majority of public authorities in achieving the outcomes required by the general duty.
The basic requirement for a public authority when carrying out their functions is to have due regard to do the following:
- promote equality of opportunity between disabled people and other people
- eliminate discrimination that is unlawful under the Disability Discrimination Act
- eliminate harassment of disabled people that is related to their disability
- promote positive attitudes towards disabled people
- encourage participation by disabled people in public life
- take steps to meet disabled people’s needs, even if this requires more favourable treatment.
We have developed our Scheme in conjunction with our duty to produce a Race Equality Scheme and have combined several other strands outside our legal obligations. Please visit the Comprehensive Equality Scheme page to find out more.