Disability Equality 

In December 2006 a similar duty was introduced in relation to disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.  Again this was a great move on from the 1995 legislation. Like the race legislation before it, a positive duty was created for public bodies to prove they are non-discriminatory and promote equality. We are required to have a Disability Equality Scheme.  Our general duties under this legislation are:

• To promote equality of opportunity between disabled and other persons
• To eliminate discrimination that is unlawful under the Act.
• To eliminate harassment of disabled persons that is related to their disabilities.
• To promote positive attitudes towards disabled persons.
• To encourage participation by disabled persons in public life.
• To take steps to take account of disabled person’s disabilities even where that may involve treating disabled people more favourably than others.

North Wales Police Authority is a public body with a statutory responsibility to consult local people. For us the key part of the disability legislation is how we engage with people with disabilities. The legislation makes it clear that consultation alone is not sufficient; we must engage with our communities, have dialogue and good ongoing relationships that allow us to get a truly representative opinion and feedback from people with various disabilities.