Disability discrimination act

1. Disability discrimination act

2. Disability Discrimination Act 1995 • The disability discrimination act was originally brought into force in 1995 and then updated in 2005. This was to prevent discrimination taking place because of someone’s disability (BTEC’s health and social care level 2; 2010) • This required employers to make reasonable adjustments to allow an individual with a disability to gain employment. (Cited in BTEC’s health and social care level 2; 2010) Disability is defined as… "A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day to day activities“ Ministry for Disabled People April 1996(accessed http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_41571.html#Definition 2011)

3. Main Principles • Within reason, the council will provide for the needs of the disabled employees at their place of work. This can be done through many ways… • Adaptations and adjustments to the methods of access to buildings, where possible. • Provision of suitable facilities where appropriate. For Example: Parking spaces. • Consideration of location of work place in relation to mobility problems. For Example: having a downstairs office for a wheelchair user. • Having a comfortable, and practical working environment • Alterations to the working environment, where necessary, through either job re-design, flexible work patterns or equipment modification. For Example: A Lift in order for a wheelchair user or another physically disabled person to access higher floors of an office block. (Accessed 2011 http://www.moray.gov.uk )

4. Why was it created? • The disability discrimination act was created so that people who had a mental or physical disability are treated with the same equal rights as people who do not have a disability. • This was also created to stop discrimination in the workplace, “access to education and transport, housing, goods, facilities and services.” (cited in BTEC’s health and social care level 2; 2010 pg.178)

5. Introduced to stop any discrimination against those who are disabled; including service providers. • Make sure access is provided in all locations so that people with disabilities can move around easily; even in their own homes. • For example adding ramps or lifts so those in wheelchairs can get up and down stairs, making doors wider so they can easily get through the doors and on public transport.

6. Who benefits from it’s creation • It benefits everyone who is disabled, mentally or physically. • It helps them receive social justice, and helps them get the right support when they need it, it also allows them to get jobs and earn a living and help with housing, without anyone judging them on what is wrong. • Other benefits of it are that even if it’s a mental disability, and people cannot see it, the disability act helps them, as they can get help getting jobs and housing without people judging them on what is wrong.

7. Cbeebies presenter! • A promoted form of discrimination was recently shown. • Cbeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell when she appeared on the show, with only one arm. Straight away parents started complaining about her appearance and said that she should be axed as she was scaring children and the children were asking questions. • Parents were saying how they were concerned that it would give their children nightmares. • They were also saying that if they said she has been hurt then there children may feel that if they cut or harmed themselves then they would need to amputate the child’s arm and this was worrying for them. • A lot of parents stopped there child watching the show as they did not feel it was appropriate. • "I would always take the time to explain to a child. All they want is an explanation. They want to know 'What's that?' and 'What's happened?' and 'Why are you different?' And then they will move on." (said by Cerrie Burnell accessed from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7906507.stm)