Disability Discrimination Act
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 aims to end the discrimination that many disabled people face. This Act has been significantly extended by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 amendments. It now gives disabled people rights in the areas of:
- Employment
- Education
- Access to goods, facilities and services, including larger private clubs and transport services
- Buying or renting land or property, including making it easier for disabled people to rent property and for tenants to make disability-related adaptations
- Functions of public bodies, for example issuing of licences
The Act requires public bodies to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people. It also allows the government to set minimum standards so that disabled people can use public transport easily.
Organisations are more likely to comply with the DDA if they arrange for an Access Audit of their premises to be conducted and draw up an access plan or strategy. Acting on the results of such an evaluation may reduce the likelihood of legal claims.
OHS are in a position to assist organisations from the initial audit right through the process of compliance.