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An overview of the DDA

The main part of the acts are:

Part I – Definition of disability

Defines the definition of disability under the act and who is protected under it. See Definition of Disability under the Act.

Part II – Employment

Employers must comply with the duties under Part II. These duties prohibit the discrimination of disabled person in employment and require the employers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for a disabled person or employee if they are at a substantial disadvantage in relation to a non-disabled person. See DDA and Employment.

Part III – Access to goods, facilities and services & selling or letting of premises

Part III makes it unlawful to discriminate against a disabled person in the provision of goods, facilities and services. Discrimination occurs if a disabled person is treated less favourable for a reason related to their disability and this treatment cannot be justified or when reasonable adjustments are not made and cannot be justified. See The DDA and Access to Goods, Facilities and Services & letting of premises.

Part IV – Education

Part IV makes it unlawful to discriminate against a disabled person in the provision of post-16 education. Discrimination occurs if a disabled person is treated less favourable for a reason related to their disability and that this treatment cannot be justified or when reasonable adjustments are not made which place the individual at a substantial disadvantage in comparison with a non-disabled person.

Part V – Transport

Under this section of the Act the Secretary of State sets minimum access criteria for new transport vehicles which will be phased in over time. Transport vehicles such as buses, trains and aeroplanes are excluded from Part III of the Act, though transport infrastructure such as railway stations are covered. By 2006, the revised rail vehicle accessibility regulations come into force.

Part VI – National Disability Council

This section of the Act set up the National Disability Council; whose purpose was to advise the government on disability issues. The Council was dissolved when the Disability Rights Commission came into being in Spring 2000 (www.drc-gb.org)