Disabled people face discrimination and exclusion (whether intentional or not) in all areas of day to day life, from jobs and pay to health, social activity and participation in public life.  According to the Census, over 25% of Glasgow's population are disabled or have a long-term illness.  Since the Disability Discrimination Act became law in 1995, disabled people have had legal rights in relation to employment and also in relation to the provision of goods, services and facilities.

The Council subscribes to the ‘social model’ of disability, which means that we recognise the extent to which the world around us disables people - through its physical barriers and our attitudes - and that equality for disabled people means removing these barriers to full and active participation in society.

The Law

Briefly, the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 outlaws discrimination against disabled people in employment and services.  The DDA is different from other equality legislation in that it places emphasis on taking positive action to remove barriers.  It requires that we make 'reasonable' adjustments' to jobs and services, for example providing necessary equipment, ensuring buildings are accessible, providing communication support (for Sign Language interpretation) and information in alternative formats.  The definition of a disabled person under the DDA includes not only wheelchair users and others with limited mobility, but also blind/partially sighted people, deaf or hard of hearing people, people with learning difficulties and people with mental health problems.  The law also covers, for example, people with cancer and HIV from the point of diagnosis.

The DDA 2005 amended the existing law and introduced a Statutory Duty to Promote Disability Equality (the 'Disability Equality Duty'), which requires all public authorities to proactively tackle discrimination against disabled people.  This follows on from a similar Duty to promote equality for black and ethnic minority people.

Disability Equality Scheme

To view a copy of the Council's Disability Equality Scheme please click on the link below.  Copies of the scheme will also be available shortly in Easyread, braille and audio formats.  Please contact us to request the format that suits you best.

• Disability Equality Scheme (word version)
• Disability Equality Scheme (PDF version)
• Progress report on the Disability Equality Scheme 2005-2008 (November 2007)

This is the Council's first Disability Equality Scheme (DES).  Part of the 'Disability Equality Duty' requires all public bodies to produce such a document.  It outlines the Council's approach to disability equality, and contains a Council-wide action plan to improve how we recruit, retain and develop disabled employees, and how we will improve the delivery of our services and other functions to our disabled citizens.  The DES will be updated and further developed annually, with a new scheme being produced every three years.

Other formats

You can download and easyread summary of the Disability Equality Scheme, by clicking on the link provided below.  We also have audiotape and braille versions.

• Easyread Disability Equality Scheme

Disability Equality - A Guide for Staff

This booklet describes the Council's approach to disability equality and outlines ways in which all employees can help achieve equality for disabled people.

• Disability - A guide for Council Staff

Access Guide to Glasgow

The Council, together with Marks and Spencer, sponsors an on-line access guide to Glasgow.  It provides disabled people with detailed access information on a range of cultural, community, shopping and entertainment venues across the city. 

Log onto www.disabledgo.info and select Glasgow from the range of city guides.