| DISABILITY
EQUALITY SCHEME
The
Disability Discrimination Act 1995 as amended by the Disability
Discrimination Act 2005 places a General Duty on public authorities
when carrying out their functions to have due regard to the need
to:
• promote equality of opportunity between disabled people
and other people;
• eliminate discrimination that is unlawful under the Act;
• eliminate harassment of disabled people that is related
to their disabilities;
• promote positive attitudes towards disabled people;
• encourage participation by disabled people in public life;
and
• take steps to take account of disabled peoples’ disabilities,
even where that involves treating disabled people more favourably
than other people.
The legislation provides a framework for us to follow in meeting
our obligations under the General Duty. At the heart of this framework
is agreeing a Disability Equality Scheme. The Registers of Scotland
Disability Equality Scheme enables the Agency to set out how we
are going to plan, deliver, evaluate and report on progress in meeting
the General Duty. It also demonstrates the underpinning commitment
of the Keeper and the Management Board to meeting the Agency’s
obligations.
We will ensure that our staff are aware of the Agency’s Disability
Equality Scheme and how we can work towards our goal of promoting
equality of opportunity for disabled people.
The publication of our Scheme represents a significant step forward
for the Agency. We will report annually on its outcomes and will
review it formally every three years. We welcome any comments on
the development of this Scheme.
As Keeper and Chief Executive I will be doing all in my power to
ensure that Registers of Scotland, as a service provider, as a policy
maker and as an employer, demonstrates the practice of promoting
disability equality and eliminating disability discrimination. I
consider the practical application of equality vital in our service
delivery to our customers and in the employment of our staff. I
am very pleased to put my name to this, the first, Registers of
Scotland Disability Equality Scheme.
James
Meldrum
Keeper and Chief Executive
1 December 2006
Click
Here to view the full Disability Equality Scheme Document
Click
Here to view the Disability Equality Scheme Report (December 2007) |
