The Disability Equality Duty (DED) came into force on 6 December 2006. It states that all public bodies must, while carrying out their functions, have due regard to the following:

Promoting equality of opportunity between the disabled and other people
Eliminating discrimination that is unlawful under the Disability Discrimination Act
Eliminating harassment of disabled people related to their disability
Promote positive actions to disabled people
Encourage participation in public life by disabled people
Take steps to meet the needs of disabled people, even if this requires more favourable treatment.

Access at Inquiries and Hearings

The Disability Equality duty provides for the needs of disabled people to be met even if this requires more favourable treatment. You should, of course, balance this with a due consideration of reasonableness. The Inspectorate has developed a form for Local Planning Authorities to check a venue is suitable.

Role of the Inspector

Inspectors should take the requirements of the DED into account when holding hearings or inquiries. Where someone with a disability asks for their particular needs to be addressed this should be facilitated wherever possible.

More Information

Please contact Baljeet Bennett, 4/07 Kite Wing, ext. 8845, if you have any queries.

Leonora Rozee
Director of Policy