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The Disability Discrimination Act - implications for Practices
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) introduced new laws aimed at ending the discrimination that many disabled people face. The Act gave disabled people new rights of access to goods and services, education, employment, transport and accommodation. Who is covered by the provisions of the DDA?
Since December 1996 it has been unlawful for organisations which provide a service to the public ('service providers') to treat disabled people less favourably than other people for a reason related to their disability.
Since 1st October 1999 it's been a requirement for service providers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, such as providing extra help or making changes to the way they provide their services.
From 1st October 2004 [under the terms of the Disability Discrimination (Providers of Services) (Adjustment of Premises) Regulations 2001] service providers must consider making reasonable adjustments to the physical features of their premises to overcome physical barriers to access.
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 2005 established a Disability Equality Duty (DED) which places a statutory duty on public bodies* 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 DDA
- 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
- take steps to take account of disabled persons’ disabilities, even where that involves treating disabled persons more favourably than other persons
*in the context of the DED, any organisation which carries out functions of a public nature is included in the definition of a public authority (thereby including Dental Practices); such organisations are required to conform to the 'general duty'. Many public bodies (including Primary Care Organisations) are required to conform to more onerous 'specific duties', which include the development of Disability Equality Schemes
Practices have a 'general duty' (see below) to provide equality of services for the disabled.
The DED applies in England, Scotland and Wales. There is different legislation in Northern Ireland.
What are the implications for Practices of conforming to the 'general duty'?
To conform to the 'general duty' Practices must (in both service provision and in their employment procedures) have regard to the elimination of unlawful discrimination and harassment on the grounds of a person's disability. This may be achieved through the existence and enforcement of the following:
- an Equal Opportunities/Anti-Discrimination (Employment) Policy
- a Bullying and Harassment Policy
- an Equal Opportunities/Anti-Discrimination (Service Provision) Policy
Downloadable drafts of these three policies are in the Members Library -
Subscribers to the Members section of this website will find more details about discrimination in employment in the Discrimination Zone -Discrimination legislation main page
Other discrimination-related legislation
Information on the Equality Act 2006 and the Gender Equality Duty.
General information about equality/discrimination legislation:
