Disability Equality

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. RoS's Disability Equality Scheme enables us 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 RoS's obligations.

We will ensure that our staff are aware of RoS'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 RoS. 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.

Sheenagh Adams
Keeper and Chief Executive