Changing the world for deaf and hard of hearing people Emma Allen Outreach Caseworker 14 March 2008 What is the DED?

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) What does this mean? Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is a law that was passed by Government to stop discrimination against people with a disability. What is a disability? “…a person has a disability for the purpose of this Act if he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse affect on his ability to carry out normal day to day activities. © RNID Casework Service 2008

Disability Deafness and hearing loss Wheelchair user and other mobility impairment Mental Health related issues Blind/Partially sighted Deafblind © RNID Casework Service 2008 Dyslexia HIV/AIDS Cancer

What does the DDA cover? Employment Goods, Facilities and Services Public Functions Buying/Renting Land or Property Education Transport © RNID Casework Service 2008

What is the difference between DDA and DED? The DDA 1995 gives rights and protection to individuals. This means that you have to actually experience specific discrimination before you can take action. The DED is a way to promote disability equality. It deals with the underlying causes of discrimination – not only the effects of discrimination on specific disabled individuals. There are two parts: the general duty and the specific duty © RNID Casework Service 2008

Aim of the DED To get public authorities to think and act proactively on disability equality issues from the start – promote disability equality – eliminate discrimination The DED aims to help public authorities see where unnecessary barriers stop equal participation by disabled people who use their services, as well as current or potential disabled employees Changing from medical model view of disability to social model – making changes to focus on barriers that disabled people face e.g. inaccessible transport, housing, education provision. © RNID Casework Service 2008

Q: What is the DED? A: This duty says that public sector bodies must give due regard to promoting equality for, and eliminating discrimination against, disabled people, in every part of what they do. © RNID Casework Service 2008

Q: Why do we need it? A: Disabled people often experience discrimination and disadvantage because public authorities do not take account of their needs. Disabled people do not always have the same opportunities as non-disabled people. This is because society creates barriers. The DED helps public authorities to break down barriers for disabled people in society. © RNID Casework Service 2008

How will the DED tackle discrimination? A: The DED makes public authorities consider disability equality at all stages. It means that public authorities have to build equality for disabled people into everything they do. This puts equality at the heart of what an authority does – rather than thinking about equality once the service or policy has been created. Public authorities should build in equality – not bolt it on later. © RNID Casework Service 2008

Who is subject to the DED? ALL public authorities have a general duty. Many public authorities also have specific duties. Specific duties apply to a broad range of authorities who have been listed: local authorities, inspectorates, government departments, educational providers. The duties help authorities to meet the general duty. © RNID Casework Service 2008

How is the General Duty being met? 1. Promoting equal opportunity 2. Eliminating unlawful discrimination 3. Eliminating harassment 4. Promoting positive attitudes 5. Encouraging disabled people to participate in public life 6. Taking steps to take account of a person’s disability – even if it means treating them more favourably. © RNID Casework Service 2008

Specific duties (DED) Authorities have to: - publish Disability Equality Scheme, - involve disabled people in developing and implementing scheme, - take the steps in action plan within 3 years of publication, - publish an annual report. © RNID Casework Service 2008

Examples of good practice – eliminating the barriers for deaf and hard of hearing people 1. Partnership working with other PA’s 2. Implement staff training – Communication tactics 3. Clear link between disabled people’s input and action 4. Diversity amongst disabled people 5. Introduce different monitoring mechanisms 6. Covers all roles and functions 7. Shared responsibility © RNID Casework Service 2008

Disability Equality Impact Assessments Impact assessments will be part of a Disability Equality Duty. They help an authority identify where the ways it operates may have a negative effect on disabled people. This helps the authority to identify problems and plan how to change a policy or practice to stop these happening. Impact assessments can include looking at existing policies. © RNID Casework Service 2008

Action Plan Priorities of disabled people as elicited through involvement The strategic priorities of the PA Evidence of where the problems and priorities lie Specific outcomes which the PA wishes to achieve to promote disability equality set out against a realistic timescale Measurable indicators of progress towards those outcomes Lines of accountability © RNID Casework Service 2008

Who enforces the DED? Individuals can enforce the general duty through legal action called judicial review Only the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) can enforce the specific duties. © RNID Casework Service 2008

Where to get more information on the DED For information on the DED, go to: © RNID Casework Service 2008

Contact RNID RNID Information Line (voice) (text) Website: Aeroworks, 5 Adair Street, Manchester. M1 2NQ (voice) (text) © RNID Casework Service 2008