Disability Discrimination Legislation
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) was passed in 1995. In order to give service providers the time to make changes, the legislation is being phased in over three stages:
- Since 2 December 1996 it has been unlawful for sports clubs to treat disabled people less favourably for a reason related to their disability;
- Since 1 October 1999 sports clubs have had to make "reasonable adjustments" for disabled people, such as providing extra help or making changes to the way they provide their services; and
- From 1 October 2004 sports clubs may have to make other "reasonable adjustments" in relation to the physical features of their premises to overcome physical barriers to access.
What are "reasonable adjustments"?
There is no definitive answer, the law uses this phrase to give some flexibility and allow different solutions in different situations.
The definition of 'reasonable' may vary according to the:
- Type of service provided
- Nature of the service provider and it's size and resources
- Effect of the disability on the individual disabled perso
Reasonable adjustment could be as small as ensuring lockers and coat hooks are at the correct height for wheelchair users, or providing training programmes for coaches, or could be as dramatic as a refurbishment programme
So...as a sports club or leisure organisation, what should you do next?!!
- By consulting with and working with disabled people at your, Sports clubs, you can start to consider and focus on areas of the club that may need to change.
- If you have no disabled users at your club, get in contact with the local leisure centres, access groups, disability sport forums, and disability organisations
2) Audit your facilities
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Your club should deliver a basic access audit or commission an audit (a detailed inspection)
- An access audit highlights the barriers for disabled people and offers practical solutions.
- If you are uncertain how to perform an audit there is information available on how to do this is shown in the Sport England access for guidance www.sportengland.org/disabled.pdf
3) Review your club promotion
- Are communication materials accessible for disabled people (large print? easy words and pictures?)
- You could look to provide auxiliary aids or services to help disabled people, such as hearing hoops, large print promotional material, use of audio tape or other media
4) Staff and Coaching Knowledge
- By providing your coaches and staff with knowledge on how to work most effectively with disabled people you are breaking down many of the social barriers to access preventing them joing your clubs in the first place. By creating a positive experience disabled participants are more likey to return
- Active Surrey and Sports Coach UK run a number of coaching courses to develop coaches skills and knowledge when working with disabled participants Please click here on disability coaching courses>>
5) Club Accreditation Scheme
- It is important to ensure that the club's constitution and any related club policies reflect an inclusive approach to acheive Active Surrey Club accrediation or clubmark accreditation
Why should YOU become a more inclusive Sports Club?
- 8.5 million disabled people in the UK-a huge untapped source of revenue
- Increase clubs prestige and media coverage as a pioneer of good practice-Newsletter, website articles
- Increases the number of potential administrators, leaders, participants and coaches for your club
- It will give an increased access to Active Surrey coaching courses and funding streams available
- It will act as an aid to Clubmark accreditation/Active Surrey accreditation schemes
- Your organisation will avoid legal action (DDA)
