Disability Equality Duty
Are Organisations ready to meet their December 2006 obligations in relation to the recruitment, development and retention of disabled employees

From December ‘ 06 a new law, the Disability Equality Duty, will require public sector organisations such as local authorities, central government, hospitals, schools and colleges to be proactive in ensuring that disabled people are treated fairly.

This means it is not enough for them simply to have an ‘equal opportunity policy’ and feel that this is sufficient. They will need to ensure that disabled people and disability equality are included into everything from the outset, rather than reacting to specific issues.

The basic requirements for public authorities are to:

1. Promote equality of opportunity between disabled people and other people.
2. Eliminate discrimination that is unlawful under the Disability Discrimination Act.
3. Eliminate harassment of disabled people that is related to their disability.
4. Promote positive attitudes towards disabled people.
5. Encourage participation by disabled people in public life.
6. Take steps to meet disabled people’s needs, even if this requires more favourable treatment.

This is the first time positive discrimination has been enshrined in law so that organisations who take a pro-active approach in promoting opportunities can prevent discrimination.

All authorities now have specific duties to make arrangements for gathering information in relation to recruitment, development and retention of disabled employees; and they must put these arrangements into practice.

As a positive way of helping public sector organisations achieve their duty, the Disabled Workers Co-operative have provided a way for organisations to promote their vacancies direct to disabled jobseekers. However, as yet only a two local authorities promote their vacancies through this FREE service.

The Disabled Workers Co-operative, a registered charity that helps disabled people find work and employment.