The Disability Discrimination (Amended) Act 2005 gives Newcastle City Council general and specific duties to promote disability equality.
When carrying out our functions we must have due regard to do the following. The general duty states that we must look at ways in which we can:
- promote equality of opportunity between disabled and non-disabled people
- eliminate discrimination that is unlawful under the DDA
- eliminate disability-related harassment
- promote positive attitudes towards disabled people
- encourage participation by disabled people in public life
- take steps to meet disabled peoples’ needs, even if this requires more favourable treatment
There is also a specific duty under the Act for public bodies, including Newcastle City Council to produce a Disability Equality Scheme. This sets out how the Council intends to meet the requirements of the general duty and also includes:
a statement of how the Council has involved disabled people in developing the Scheme
an action plan for the next 3 years
an assessment of current activities to improve disability equality
details of future proposed activities to improve disability equality
Read our Disability Equality Scheme (pdf, 2.4Mb)
Read the Disability Equality Scheme Summary (pdf, 1Mb)
Read the Disability Equality Scheme - Easy Read version (pdf, 1.6Mb)
We have also produced a summary DVD version of our Scheme, with British Sign Language, audio commentary and subtitles.
To request a copy of the DVD or for further information please contact us.
E-mail: disabilityequality@newcastle.gov.uk
Phone: 0191 277 3546 / 0191 277 3533
Fax: 0191 277 3686
We will report progress against the Scheme every year and review and make appropriate revisions to the Scheme at least every three years.
Disability Equality Scheme Annual Report, 2008 (pdf, 409Kb)
Disability Equality Scheme Annual Report, 2007 (pdf, 450Kb)