Communicating Crime Reduction

Connecting people with disabilities

The disability discrimination act

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) became law in November 1995 and many of its main provisions came into force in December 1996 and October 1999. The Act has introduced new rights and measures aimed at ending the discrimination that many disabled people face. Disabled people now have new rights in the areas of employment; getting goods and services; and buying or renting property. 

The Act requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments to policies, procedures and practices; to provide auxiliary aids and services and, where premises are inaccessible, to provide these services by a reasonable alternative means; and to make reasonable adjustments to premises (this last requirement comes into effect from 2004). 

The Act embodies the principle that promoting equal access to opportunities for disabled people involves more than simply treating everyone the same; it can also require changes to infrastructure and to the way goods and services are actually provided.

Providers of services - including information services - are required to make 'reasonable adjustments' to the way they operate if disabled people have difficulty accessing their services. This means that the provider can be compelled to provide reasonable 'auxiliary aids or services', such as audio cassette, Braille, large print, and sign language interpretation.

For further information about the Disability Discrimination Act, telephone the DDA Information Line on 08457 622633, or write to: DDA Information Line, Freepost, MIDO 2164, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 9BR.

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