As a designated public authority, we also has to comply with Disability Duties under Section 49A and 49B of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as amended (DDA).
The Disability Duties are in addition to steps that we must take under anti-discrimination law to accommodate people with disabilities and ensure that they do not face discrimination in accessing services or employment. They are also in addition to the general duty under Section 75 to pay due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.
Specifically, the DDA Disability Duties require us, in carrying out our functions, to have due regard to the need to:
- promote positive attitudes towards disabled people
- encourage participation by disabled people in public life
Public life has been defined by the Equality Commission as being much wider than public appointments and so includes any opportunity where disabled people can be given the chance to influence public policy or decision making.
We are required to set out in a Disability Action Plan how we propose to fulfil these duties, to submit this plan to the Equality Commission and to report to the Commission on progress on an annual basis.
LCCC developed and consulted on a new Disability Action Plan for the period 2021-2025. It sets out a range of commitments and actions that will be implemented across Council service areas.
For further information about our Disability Action Plan, please contact our equality officer by email to equality@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk or phone 07977 122434.
Copies of the Plan can be made available in other formats on request.
For further information about the Disability Duties, see the Equality Commission’s website www.equalityni.org