Disability Equality Scheme

The Disability Discrimination Act amended in 2005 gives the County Council ‘general’ and ‘specific’ duties to promote disability equality. The new general duty means that we must have due regard to:

• Promoting equality of opportunity between disabled people and other people.
• Eliminating discrimination which is unlawful under the Act.
• Eliminating harassment of disabled people that is related to their disabilities.
• Promoting positive attitudes towards disabled people.
• Encouraging participation by disabled people in public life.
• Taking steps to take account of disabled people’s disabilities even where this involves treating disabled people more favourably than other people.
  

Under the specific duties most public authorities, including the County Council, have to produce a Disability Equality Scheme. Please see below for a copy of our scheme, which helps us to meet the general duties previously mentioned, and has been produced through consultation with disabled people across County Durham.

We recognise that this will need to be continuously updated to ensure its relevance and positively welcome your views and suggestions. To make comments, for more information, if you are unable to access these documents or need them in a different format or language please contact the Equalities Team.

Email: equalities@durham.gov.uk
Tel: 0191 383 4207
Fax: 0191 383 4206

By post to:

Equalities Team
Corporate Services
Durham County Council
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UL

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this information.

DISABILITY EQUALITY SCHEME - Sections One & Two - December 2006.pdf (24 pages, 84kb)

DISABILITY EQUALITY SCHEME - Section three Action Plan - December 2006.pdf (17 pages, 39kb)

Summary - DES - 2006.pdf (14 pages, 65kb)

DES Glossary.pdf (5 pages, 17kb)