We will be honest with you, all right? Ever since that blooming Disability Discrimination Act was giving the green light last year (2005) it means that every now and again a boring, but fairly useful story falls at our heels which we feel we should bring to your attention.
Currently thanks to the Act if you visit a public building such as a library, doctors, our local brothel you should have easy access dispute being in a wheelchair or not. Annoyingly this still isn't the case for all places so yet another new act is to come into place from December 4th. The Disability Equality Duty. What this means is that a legal responsibility will face everyone working with the public to promote equality for disabled people.
Pressure is being put on the prime authorities such as NHS Trusts, Schools, Police forces etc. so they can all set a good example for all to follow. From December 4th everyone will have to take full responsibility concerning disabled related discrimination in their work. The DED will cover four main points...
1. Rid
of disability related discrimination and harassment.
2. Promote opportunities for disabled people.
3. Encourage disabled people to participate fully in public life.
4. Promote positive attitudes.
Unlike the current DDA this new Duty isn't just about sticking a ramp down outside an entrance or displaying those boring leaflets in brail so blind people can ignore them as well. No, the DED aims to start people to think ahead when planning or monitoring their services.
For instance a council up North decided to place an ad in its dull magazine asking for volunteers who felt strongly about disability and equality issues. The saddos who replied then met throughout the year to help the council build on its Disability Equality Scheme.
What all this boils down to is that attitudes need to be changed to accept disabled people are members of society with equal rights.
In case you are wondering by the way the image on the left with attaches this story is brail for 'Disability Equality Duty' - Well we think it does anyway!
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