What does the disability equality duty mean for disability practitioners? Beyond Compliance: NADO Annual Conference 2005 University of Warwick

Introductions Dr James Palfreman-Kay, NADO & Bournemouth University Liz Sutherland, Equality Challenge Unit Ruth Thei, HEFCE Kate Goddard, Skill

Aims of the workshop To help identify where institutional responsibility for compliance with DED lies To share some early observations on institutional responses to DED To discuss how disability practitioners might be most effectively involved in supporting their institution to implement the DED

Disability Equality Duty (1) Due regard to the need to: –promote equality of opportunity between disabled people and other people –eliminate discrimination against disabled people –eliminate disability-related harassment

Disability Equality Duty (2) –encourage participation by disabled people in public life –promote positive attitudes towards disabled people Proactive anticipatory planning with clear objectives and sign off by the governing body of the organisation

Perspectives - DED Funding council perspective (HEFCE) Employer/employee perspective (ECU) Disability Practitioner perspective (NADO) Students perspective (SKILL)

Some observations on initial responses and challenges (1) University of Bournemouth & NADO – responses and challenges for an Institution / Organisation - James Palfreman- Kay HEFCE –responses and challenges they have observed to date – Ruth Thei ECU – responses and challenges they have observed to date –Liz Sutherland

Some observations on initial responses and challenges (2) Skill – responses and challenges observed to date - the student perspective – Kate Goddard Your own observations and questions about both responses and challenges

What would be an appropriate/effective role for the Disability Practitioner? Engaging disabled people – the potential role of the Head of Disability Service/Disability Officer etc … in assisting with this process in relation to –staff (small group 1) –students (small group 2) –members of the community (small group 3)

What would be an appropriate/effective role for the Disability Practitioner? Improving baseline data - the potential role of the Head of Disability Service/Disability Officer etc … in assisting with this process in relation to –staff (small group 4) –students (small group 5) –members of the community (small group 6)

Next Update on the DED & DDA Disability Equality Duty and Update on the Discrimination Act 2005 A NADO Ltd Conference in partnership with the Disability Rights Commission and Bond Pearce Solicitors THURSDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2005 CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL BIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE The conference will focus on preparing disability practitioners for the new Disability Equality Duty as well as updating colleagues on issues concerning the Disability Discrimination Act.