Legal & Regulatory
For the majority of public service organisations, the Disability Equality Duty came into force in December 2006. This covered over 40 000 public organisations and challenged many to develop Disability Equality Schemes that demonstrated how those organisations were working to improve disability equality. Housing associations need to be able to demonstrate that they too are working to improve disability equality.
The Housing Corporation is subject to the Disability Duty and intends to "passport" the essence and theme of the duty to housing associations. As a minimum requirement it expects housing associations to produce a disability action plan by December 2007. However, the Corporation would also encourage associations to develop Disability Equality Schemes to reflect best practice and illustrate how disabled people were involved in setting strategic priorities.
Disability Discrimination Act
Disability Discrimination Act (1995): Rights and Responsibilities - PDF
Disability Discrimination Act (1995): Rights and Responsibilities - RTF
Disability Discrimination Act (1995): Sources of advice and information - PDF
Disability Discrimination Act (1995): Sources of advice and information - RTF
Disability Discrimination Act (1995): Part II - PDF
Disability Discrimination Act (1995): Part II - RTF
Housing Corporation on Race Equality and Diversity
Good Practice Note 4 (GPN 4) - PDF
Good Practice Note 8 (GPN 8) - PDF
Housing Corporation Disability Equality Scheme
The Housing Corporation’s Disability Equality Scheme explains in one document how they will make sure that they promote equality for disabled people, and work to ensure that people are treated fairly.
Disability Rights Commission Guidance on the Disability Equality Duty
Habinteg were commissioned by the Disability Rights Commission to write the guidance for the social housing sector on the Disability Equality Duty and Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act, published in 2006.
Disability Rights Commission Housing Guidance - PDF
Disability Rights Commission Housing Guidance - RTF
The Audit Commission's Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs)
KLOEs are tools which have helped organisations to gain a clear perspective on the Audit Commission housing inspection process and judgements. The KLOE headings can also be used to help categorise housing-related organisational functions in preparing a Disability Equality Scheme. The headings include, for example: Tenancy and Estate Management; Resident Involvement; Supported Housing; and Access and Customer care. Each association will need to put in additional categories relevant to its wider activities and to disability equality, for example on employment, procurement or research.
Audit Commission Guidance on KLOEs - PDF
Audit Commission Guidance on KLOEs - RTF
