Equality for disabled peopleA ‘Disability Equality Duty’ for the public sector will come into force later this year, requiring all public bodies – including fire and rescue authorities – to ensure that disabled people are treated equally. FRS spoke to Michelle Valentine of the Disability Rights Commission to find out more. Do the Duty We all want to live in communities where we can participate fully and equally. Many indicators show us that for disabled people this hasn’t yet happened and there remains considerable work to be done to get to this point. To ensure this happens a Disability Equality Duty is being introduced for the public sector. This new legal duty will mean that any public body will need to actively look at ways of ensuring that disabled people are treated equally. A similar duty was introduced on race a couple of years ago. What does this mean for you? This new law requires the Fire and Rescue Service to be proactive in ensuring that disabled people are treated fairly. The duty is not necessarily about changes to your buildings or adjustments for individuals, it’s about weaving equality for all, including disabled people, into your culture in practical and demonstrated ways. This means including disabled people and disability equality into everything you do as an employer and a service provider from the outset. How can you do your duty? The Fire and Rescue Service has specific duties as an authority established under Part 4 of the Local Government Act (1985)(fire services, civil defence and transport). FRSs will need to do this through the production of a Disability Equality Scheme and action plans and these must be ready by December 2006. Four questions to ask straight away 1. What information do you have about the experience of disabled people working in the fire service? Do you need to find out more before you start planning your Disability Equality Scheme and action plan? 2. How will you involve disabled staff and stakeholders in producing your Disability Equality Scheme? 3. Do you have links with disabled people in your community, do you know what they need from your Service and whether you are providing this? 4. How does your community fire safety unit work with disabled people? Answering these questions will not cover everything, but it’s a good start. Help is at hand The Disability Rights Commission is here to help you with guidance, information and events, see http://www.dotheduty.org/ For specific FRS-related advice contact michelle.valentine@drc-gb.org or 0161 958 2062. |
Article Date: 24th January 2006 |
