The Disability Equality Duty and Changing Places
The Disability Equality Duty came into force in December 2006. The duty applies in England, Scotland and Wales.
This new legal duty means that public bodies need to actively look at ways of ensuring that disabled people are treated equally. It requires organisations across the public sector (including hospitals, local and central government, schools and colleges) to be proactive in ensuring that disabled people are treated fairly.
This means including disabled people and disability equality into everything from the outset, rather than focusing on individualised responses to specific disabled people.
How Changing Places can help you to meet the Disability Equality Duty
- The Disability Equality Duty places a duty on public bodies to 'promote equality of opportunity'. Without Changing Places toilets, people with profound disabilities can not access venues or their community. Providing a Changing Places toilet means that people with profound disabilities can access your venue just like everyone else, therefore providing them with ‘equality of opportunity'.
- The Disability Equality Duty places a duty on public bodies to 'actively promote disability equality'. This goes beyond past legislation because this is a positive duty which requires disability equality to be built in from the start, rather than making adjustments as they are required by disabled people. Providing a Changing Places toilet in plans for a new or refurbished venue is an excellent example of taking a proactive approach to disability equality.
- The Disability Equality Duty is also about promoting positive attitudes towards disabled people in everyday life. Installing a Changing Places toilet shows that disabled people and their families are welcome at your venue and viewed in a positive way.
- Under the Disability Equality Duty, many public bodies must produce a Disability Equality Scheme outlining how they will promote equality of opportunity for disabled people. An annual report must be produced, showing what steps have been taken to fulfil the duty. Installing a Changing Places toilet is a visible positive action that shows you are moving towards meeting the duty.
Further information