Disability Equality Scheme - DES

We have developed a Disability Equality Scheme - DES - in response to the requirements first introduced by the Disability Discrimination Act - DDA - in 1995.

This was then amended in 2005 to include Section 49A-1, which requires every public authority while carrying out its functions to:

• Promote equality of opportunity

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination and disability related harassment
• Promote positive attitudes towards disabled people
• Encourage disabled people to participate in public life
• Take steps to take into account any persons disability, even where that

      involves more preferential treatment

We need to publish our DES to comply with the law, but we also want to develop the scheme, as a way of taking forward the pro-active and wider committment we have, not only to disability, but to all equality issues.

The DES was presented to the our Executive on the 31 May 2007, where it was agreed, meaning the scheme is now an adopted council policy. It will however be a 'live' document, and each service will soon be adding their own service specific disability equality action plans to the main document.

Contact us

Feedback is actively encouraged so please contact the Access Officer. Alternatively, please reply via the Access Officer feedback form.­