Disability Discrimination Act
The Disability Discrimination Act 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.
You can read more about the DDA at the links below:
http://www.disability.gov.uk/dda/
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 http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/Pages/default.aspx/
Equality and Human Rights Commission
3 More London, Riverside Tooley Street, London, SE1 2RG
Telephone 020 3117 0235
Fax 0207 407 7557
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.
