DIAL UK News
DIAL UK News
New Disability Rights Project
Publication date: 30/06/2006
This is the first in a series of articles about an innovative new Disability Rights Project developed in partnership between the Law Centres Federation and the Disability Rights Commission. This article will provide an overview of the project, with future articles providing a more detailed examination of disability rights law.
Law Centres are independent charities that provide free advice and representation to those facing disadvantage and campaign to make law and justice accessible for all. The Disability Rights Project will see specialist Disability Rights Workers appointed in 14 Law Centres around the country. These workers will raise awareness of disability rights and help people take legal action under the Disability Discrimination Act.
The Disability Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination in the fields of employment, education and goods, facilities and services.
The Act applies to anyone with a mental or physical impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on their ability to carry out day to day activities. It is thought that some 10 million people in the UK are protected by the Act, even though many not consider themselves to be traditionally ‘disabled’.
The Disability Rights Project will focus primarily on claims alleging discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services. These protections cover all public and private sector organisations that provide goods, facilities or services to the public with or without charge. Discrimination can arise when someone is treated less favourably for a reason relating to their disability or when a service provider fails to comply with the duty to make reasonable adjustments. This duty can require changes to the manner in which a service is provided, alterations to physical features and the provision of auxiliary aids or services.
The Disability Discrimination Act is a complex piece of legislation and the particular rules applicable to each field of activity will be considered in more detail in future articles. It is important that people are aware of their rights under the Act, which although imperfect can nevertheless be a powerful means of bringing about real change. People can come to accept discrimination as an unfortunate but inevitable part of daily life. It takes courage, but the Act can be used to challenge entrenched attitudes and make services genuinely accessible to all.
If you, or someone you know, may have been discriminated against you can get free advice from a Disability Rights Worker. It is important that you act quickly as there are strict time limits within which any claim must be brought.
As well as helping people take legal action, Disability Rights Workers will try to raise the public and media profile of the Disability Discrimination Act. Workers can also provide interested organisations will advice and legal education services, including presentations and training. Again further information can be obtained direct from Disability Rights Workers.
Disability Rights Workers have been appointed in the following Law Centres: Avon & Bristol, Camden, Chesterfield, Coventry, Gateshead, Kirklees, Leicester, Luton, Newcastle, Rochdale, Sheffield, South West London, Trafford and at the Disability Law Service. You can find the contact details of your nearest participating Law Centre at www.lawcentres.org.uk
