Disability Equality Duty

Disability Equality Duty news and areas of work

Secretary of State Reports

Key Secretaries of State reported on progress towards disability equality across their policy sector on 1 December 2008.

The reports by the 11 Secretaries of State are the first of their kind. They identify progress towards disability equality made by each department and where there are still issues to address. They also show how departments and public bodies will work strategically to introduce mechanisms for change. The ODI has produced an overview of the Secretary of State reports, highlighting key findings from each.

Secretary of States Reports on Disability Equality - Overview (PDF, 17 pages, 2.79 MB)
Secretary of States Reports on Disability Equality - Overview - Easy Read (Easy Read PDF, 76 pages, 2.91 MB)
Secretary of States Reports on Disability Equality - Overview -RTF (RTF, 17 pages, 2.79 MB)

The full reports for individual departments can be found on their own websites.

The duty on Secretaries of State requires them to report on

progress towards disability equality in their policy sector
proposals for coordination of future work by relevant public authorities within their policy sector.

These reports need to be produced every three years and are unique to the Disability Equality Duty.

The focus on the policy sector ensures that Secretaries of State look beyond departmental boundaries at how their public bodies are performing to ensure they work together effectively. This is in recognition of the need to encourage strategic leadership by Secretaries of State in order to further disability equality.

To support the production of the reports the ODI produced guidance and worked closely with the departments involved.

Research

The ODI commissioned researchers to examine the implementation of the Disability Equality Duty in England, looking at a small sample of public authorities to provide examples of how schemes were developed and what impact they have had for disabled people.

The research was commissioned to help support government departments to carry out the Secretary of State reporting requirement. The research and the Secretary of State reports should be seen together as providing a snapshot of what government and the wider public sector is doing to further disability equality.

Read the research report on our publications page.

Supporting Government Departments

The ODI hosts a working group which brings together professionals from across central government who are responsible for their department's Disability Equality Schemes.

This groups provides a forum for sharing ideas, questions and good practice as well as identifying opportunities for joined up working.

Sharing Good Practice

The Department for Children, Schools and Families recently published an on-line Equality Impact Assessment Workbook (links to DCSF website) that was produced to assist colleagues in carrying out equality impact assessments.

Others within the education sector may find this a useful tool as it has links to research and evidence to inform assessments.

Promoting the DED

A number of organisations have already told us how the DED has improved their services. For examples of the practical differences it has made see our case studies page.

To help raise awareness of the DED, the ODI are committed to promoting the DED and what it hopes to achieve across a range of sectors. So if you have any good news stories on how the DED has brought about change where you are please contact us.

Disability Conference

The ODI jointly hosted a conference with National School of Government Conference (links to NSG website) for disabled staff and disability champions in December 2007.

The conference was chaired by Simon Minty and delegates were involved in interactive sessions on a range of topics, including a discussion session with Anne McGuire MP, Minister for Disabled People.

Events for the Public Sector

In March and April 2007, the ODI organised a series of dissemination events to share the findings of our compliance audit and share lesson learned and look at new ways forward to implement the DED.

Read Disability Equality Duty: Moving Forward report.

Guidance for Government

Before the duty came into force the ODI produced guidance on the duties imposed by the Disability Discrimination Act, to help civil servants understand the obligations of the Duty.

Disability equality: a priority for all - PDF (377KB, 28 pages)
Disability equality: a priority for all - RTF (205KB, 20 pages)

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