"Life is completely different now. Lego makes me laugh every day – he’s a real joy. He is very good at alerting me to all the sounds and is the nicest alarm clock I’ve ever had! I never worry that I’ve missed a phone call or a visitor, and it’s nice to take my hearing aids out after a long day knowing that he will keep me safe. Lego completes me."
Louise Drew and hearing dog Lego
Disability Discrimination Act
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) of 1995 came fully into force during 2004. It aims to ensure that people with disabilities have rights where previously they may have faced discrimination.
The DDA focuses on:
- employment
- goods, facilities and services
- premises
In addition the Act:
- allows the Government to set minimum standards so that disabled people can use public transport easily.
To read more about
the DDA click
here.
Under the DDA it is unlawful for a person with disabilities to be discriminated against, or treated less favourably, because of their disability.
The Act requires all employers covered by the DDA to make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities. The Act also requires that people providing goods, services or facilities, and owners and managers of premises, comply with reasonable adjustments.
For a copy of the DDA codes of practice and guidelines regarding ‘reasonable adjustments’, please contact:
Equality and Human
Rights Commission
3 More London, Riverside Tooley Street, London, SE1 2RG
T: 020 3117 0235
F: 0207 407 7557
E: info@equalityhumanrights.com
www.equalityhumanrights.com
As a registered assistance dog, a hearing dog should be afforded the same access to public places as a guide dog. With the DDA now in place, cities, towns and service providers need to show they are compliant with the regulations. Hearing Dogs has launched an annual Hearing Dog Friendly Award to recognise and encourage good practice. Click here to read about the past winners of these awards