The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) came into force in December 1996 and has made it unlawful to treat disabled people less favourably.
The Act gives rights to disabled people in the areas of:
The Act has been implemented in stages since 1996 and October 2004 saw the final part in place.
Since December 1996It has been unlawful to treat disabled people less favourably than any other person relating specifically to their disability.
Since October 1999It has been a requirement for service providers to have made reasonable adjustments for disabled people such as additional assistance, auxiliary aids or altering the way a service is provided.
Since October 2004All service providers will have to make reasonable adjustments to physical features that act as barriers to disabled people to avoid discrimination.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is available online from the Office of Public Sector Information website.
The Disability Rights Commission was set up by the government to eliminate discrimination against disabled people. It continuously campaigns for the rights for disabled people, has written Codes of Practice relating to the DDA, supports and advises disabled people as well as giving information to service providers and employers.
The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 has amended the DDA and includes certain changes relating to the definition of disability (includes specific conditions from the date of diagnosis), the management of transport services, in the public sector (to promote disability equality), public authorities (unlawful to discriminate when exercising its functions), letting of premises (requirement to make reasonable adjustments to policies, practices and procedures), private clubs (clubs with more than 25 members will be covered by the DDA), Local Authorities (unlawful to discriminate against disabled councillors).