Disability Discrimination Act

1995

DDA

What is the Disability

Discrimination Act 1995?
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) is
a Government measure intended to
reduce discrimination against disabled
people.
Significant parts of the law (such as
employment) came into force on 2
December 1996.

What is the Disability

Discrimination Act 1995?
From October 1999 service providers have
had to make 'reasonable adjustments' for
disabled people, such as providing extra
help or making changes to the way
services are provided.
From October 2004 service providers have
had to make 'reasonable adjustments' to
the physical features of premises to
overcome physical barriers to access.

Who does the legislation apply to?

Organisations providing goods, services and
facilities and premises
The legislation covers anyone providing, for payment
or free of charge, a good, service or facility direct to
the public.
For example: Shops, supermarkets, launderettes,
travel agents, banks, central and local government.

Legislation covers anyone who is letting, selling

or managing premises. This includes landlords
and estate agents.

Who does the legislation apply to?

Employers
From October 2004, the employment parts of the Act,
covering both recruitment and people in work, apply
to all employers and to most types of occupation (eg
barristers), other than the armed forces.

Education providers
The education parts of the Act, which were added by
the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act
2001, apply to providers of both pre-16 and post-16
education.

Who is considered as disabled

under the Act?
This Act applies to anyone who has 'a
physical or mental impairment which has a
substantial and long term adverse effect
on their ability to carry out normal day to
day activities'.
Anyone who is registered blind or partially
sighted, or has a certificate from their
ophthalmologist, will automatically be
deemed to be disabled under the Act

What about private properties?

DDA does not apply
Disabled persons can still get help to
adapt their properties
Grant assistance can be applied for from
Local Authorities (LA) under the Housing
Grants, Construction and Regeneration
Act 1996

Housing Grants, Construction and

Regeneration Act 1996 Disabled
Facilities Grants
Mandatory - LA must consider any
application
Means tested
Maximum amount available
Given to allow a disabled person easier
access to their property and the facilities
within ie shower/wc extensions, ramps etc

Disabled Facilities Grants

As with all building works, the Building
Regulations, Planning Permission and
other statutory legislation still apply where
applicable
Statutory fees may be waived