Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

Cabinet / Leader

PART II

AGREEMENT OF FINAL DISABILITY EQUALITY SCHEME FOR PUBLICATION

Under the amended Disability Discrimination Act 2005, the County Council has a general duty to promote disability equality and a specific duty to publish a Disability Equality Scheme, which must show how disabled people have been involved with its development.

In preparing a draft scheme for the County Council, a steering group was set up in September 2005 which included representatives from Hampshire Coalition of Disabled People, Southampton Centre for Independent Living, Jobcentre Plus and key council officers including staff with personal experience of disability. The Cabinet agreed the draft scheme for consultation in May 2006 which was then sent out to over 250 organisations as well as being published on the County Council's website.

As these duties impact on all public bodies and in order to present a joint approach to consultation, the County Council worked with district councils, Hampshire Police Authority, Probation Service, Hampshire Fire Authority and some local Health Trusts. Also Disabled People's Involvement events were held in the New Forest, Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport and Basingstoke. The outcome of the consultation indicated that the main areas of concern related to transport and highways (pavements and dropped kerbs), inconsistency of regulations across the county (parking and concessionary fares), clearer communications and opportunities for employment. Accordingly the draft scheme was amended to reflect the views expressed.

The Cabinet considered the final Disability Equality Scheme on 30 October 2006 and approved it for publication. They also agreed that further dialogue should be undertaken with representatives from disabled groups to better understand the issues, and in particular the impact of standard government regulations.

The scheme will be available on the County Council's website on 30 November 2006 or a copy can be obtained by contacting the Equality and Diversity Manager in the Chief Executive's Department.

T. K. THORNBER, C.B.E.,
Leader.