A public consultation has launched today seeking comment on two documents related to the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 2006.
The aim of the legislation is to prevent discrimination against people with a disability in how goods, facilities and services are provided and the disposal or management of premises. It also places a duty for reasonable adjustments to be made in the way services are provided if it is impossible or unreasonably difficult for a disabled person to make use of a service.
The Act is being implemented in four phases over the next four years with the first phase commencing on 15 December 2016. This approach has been taken to provide time for service providers to make any reasonable adjustments to comply with the Act.
The first document, ‘Guidance on matters to be taken into account in determining questions relating to the definition of disability’ details what is meant by a disability for the purposes of the Act. Only those persons who are disabled within the meaning of the Act will be protected. In most cases there is unlikely to be any doubt whether a person has or has had a disability, but the Guidance should prove helpful in cases where the matter is not particularly clear.
The second document, ‘Code of Practice – Rights of Access, Goods, Facilities, Services and Premises’ gives practical guidance to help providers and property owners comply with the Act by preventing discrimination against disabled persons in accessing services and premises, and encouraging good practice. The document also explains what is meant by the duty to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to a service or access to premises.
The consultation will run until Friday 4 March 2016. A copy of the consultation documentation can be downloaded here or copies can be requested by email on DDA2006.DHSC@gov.im or by telephone on 695794.
