1. The Equality Commission Role and Services www.equalityni.org

2. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Course objectives The background of the Commission Its structure Its vision and mission Its range of powers and responsibilities Key Equality Laws in Northern Ireland What discrimination is Areas of everyday life covered by equality law By completing this course, you will know:

3. Background of the Commission

4. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Section 1 – The Equality Commission What the Commission is Where the Commission came from Its vision Its mission In this section you will learn about:

5. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. What the Commission is The statutory body in Northern Ireland which promotes equality of opportunity and works to eliminate discrimination on grounds of: Age Race Disability Sex Sexual Orientation Religious Belief / Political Opinion

6. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. What the Commission is An independent public body established under Section 73 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Equality House 7–9 Shaftesbury Square Belfast Carries out regulatory functions on behalf of Government (enforces anti-discrimination law and legislation designed to promote equality) Provides specialist advice to Ministers and others Has a Province wide remit Has a board whose members (commissioners) are appointed by the Secretary of State/NIO Employs its own staff, who are not civil servants Manages its own budget.

7. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Where the Commission came from Equality Commission for Northern Ireland Commission for Racial Equality Equal Opportunities Commission NI Disability Rights Council Fair Employment Commission Human Rights Commission

8. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. The Commission’s Vision A shared, integrated & inclusive place A society where difference is respected and valued Based on equality and fairness for the entire community 1 2 3 1 2 3

9. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Advance equality Promote equality of opportunity Encourage good relations Challenge discrimination The Commission’s Mission Through Promotion Advice Enforcement

10. The Equality Commission’s Role

11. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Section 2 – The Commission’s Role Supporting Complainants Providing Advice and Assistance Investigation and Enforcement Promoting Equality & Good Relations Overseeing the Public Sector Equality & Good Relations Duties Conducting Research Reviewing Legislation In this section you will learn about the Commission’s role in:

12. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Commission’s Role Research Overseeing statutory duties on public authorities to take equality and good relations into account in its work Advising & assisting people who believe they have been discriminated against Enforcing the law (enforcement powers are different across the various equality grounds) Providing information, education and promoting equality and good relations Keeping the equality legislation under review and making recommendations to government for change It’s wide range of powers and responsibilities

13. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Supporting Complainants The Equality Commission gives advice and assistance to people who believe they have been discriminated against because of their: Age Disability Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, including being an Irish Traveller) Religious belief or political opinion Sex (including married or civil partner status) Sexual orientation

14. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Providing Advice and Assistance The Equality Commission does not decide whether discrimination has in fact occurred This decision is made by an independent industrial tribunal, court or Special Educational Needs & Disability Tribunal

15. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Investigation and Enforcement The Commission has powers to ensure that people comply with the legislation including some powers to investigate particular organisations or practices

16. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Promoting Equality & Good Relations Promoting and encouraging good equal opportunities practice is as important as enforcing the law

17. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Overseeing Public Sector Equality & Good Relations Duties The Commission oversees how effectively public authorities carry out the duties placed on them by Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act

18. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Conducting Research Provides reliable information and informs the debate on equality issues A Key Inequalities statement, published Oct 2007, highlighted persistent inequalities in Northern Ireland in a number of areas. The statement was based on a variety of research and its findings informed the Commission’s work

19. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Reviewing Legislation The Commission monitors the way that Northern Ireland’s equality laws are working, and makes recommendations to Government on ways in which they can be improved

20. Equality Law in Northern Ireland

21. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Section 3 – Equality Law What discrimination is Types of discrimination What discrimination law covers In this section you will learn about:

22. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Singled out for worse treatment What discrimination is Generally, discrimination is treating someone less favourably purely because of their: Note Discrimination is not always unlawful and some discrimination can be justified despite equality laws Race Sexual Orientation Sexual Orientation Age Disability Sex Political Opinion Political Opinion Religious Belief Religious Belief

23. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Types of discrimination Direct Victimisation Failure to make reasonable adjustments Failure to make reasonable adjustments Indirect Harassment Pregnancy related Pregnancy related

24. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. What discrimination law covers Education (with some exceptions) Education (with some exceptions) Housing & accommodation Housing & accommodation Accessing goods, facilities, & services (except for age) Accessing goods, facilities, & services (except for age) Employment

25. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. Equality Commission’s Role Course summary Equality Law in Northern Ireland Equality Law in Northern Ireland Background of the Equality Commission Background of the Equality Commission This short course has covered the following subjects:

26. Copyright © 2004-2005 NameOfTheOrganization. All rights reserved. For more If you want more information about these subjects, or the Equality Commission … Visit our websitewebsite 028 90 500 600 Ring our Reception 028 90 500 600 Or email information@equalityni.orginformation@equalityni.org