Archived decisions
Contact: Jane Goodwin 01962 847789 [email protected]
1.1 The purpose of this presentation is to inform the panel of the views expressed by disabled people at a series of `involvement' events which were held in partnership with other public bodies in the County.
1.2 This supports the following corporate priorities, Maximising Wellbeing and Enhancing Quality of Place, by actively seeking the views of disable people and taking appropriate action in response.
2. Background:
2.1 The Disability Discrimination Act has been amended and now places a duty on public bodies to:
· promote equality of opportunity
· eliminate unlawful disability discrimination
· eliminate disability related harassment
· promote positive attitudes towards disabled persons
· encourage participation by disabled people in public life
· take steps to take account of people's disabilities, even where that involves more favourably treatment
2.2 In addition there is a specific duty to publish a Disability Equality Scheme. This scheme must show how disabled people have been involved with the development of the scheme. The Disability Rights Commission will be monitoring the implementation of the scheme and their campaign motto is `Nothing about us without us'.
2.3 The Council has taken a robust approach to this duty and worked with other public bodies in the County to involve disabled people at a local level. So far four events have taken place and this will continue next year as the local councils develop their work in this area. At each of these meetings travel and transport were identified as major barriers to disabled people having of the same opportunities as non disabled people.
2.4 The strongest views were expressed at the most recent meeting held at the Hexagon centre, a County Council centre for physically disabled people. This is of concern given that there is a fundamental review of the provision of day services across the County. Any change to the current approach will have a major impact on the provision of transport. Therefore, this information is being presented to this panel in order that it is given full consideration and that the Council takes steps to positively improve the life of disabled people in the community.
3. Actions in response
3.1 The Disability Scheme has been amended as a result of this information and there is a specific action to assess how the Transport Plan affects disabled people. Following a meeting with the transport management team it has become clear that there are a number of projects across the Council which have identified a range of transport issues.
3.2 It is planned to undertake a review of transport in the community and this information will be considered during that review. In addition the review of daycare services in Adult services will have an impact on community transport and therefore it is essential that all of these projects work together to the benefit of disabled people in the community.
4. Legal implications
4.1 Under the Disability Discrimination Act (amended 2005) public bodies must show how disabled people have been `involved' with the development of policies. The County Council's Disability Equality Scheme was published on 30 November 2006 following consultation and involvement of disabled people across the County.
5. Financial implications
5.1 None as a direct result of this presentation.
6. Personnel implications
6.1 None
7. Impact assessment
7.1 This information is to be used by various departments to assist them to undertake impact assessments. The results of this information have influenced the final disability scheme.
8. Crime prevention issues
8.1 There are no direct crime and disorder implications associated with this presentation.
Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents
The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.
NB: the list excludes
1. Published works
2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.
None