Mainstreaming the disability equality duty and the impact on public authorities' working practices

Pearson, C. , Watson, N. , Stalker, K., Ferrie, J. , Lepiniere, J. and Paterson, K. (2011) Mainstreaming the disability equality duty and the impact on public authorities' working practices. Social Policy and Society, 10(2), pp. 239-250. (doi: 10.1017/S1474746410000588)

Abstract

Implemented as part of the 2005 amendments to the Disability Equality Act, the Disability Equality Duty (DED) placed new and important demands on public sector bodies. All such organisations are required to develop policies and working practices which actively promote the equality of disabled people as employees, consumers or visitors. Equality has to be proactive as opposed to reactive and disability equality has to be mainstreamed into the normal day to day activities of organisational working practice. Whilst it follows on from the framework of previous anti-discrimination legislation set in place over the last fifteen years, it represents a significant change in equality legislation since it demands that public sector bodies instigate fundamental changes in their approach towards disability and their working practices. This article reports on the initial stages of the implementation process of the DED across a range of public sector organisations in England, focussing in particular on how this policy has impacted on mainstreaming. Discussion shows that although organisations show awareness of mainstreaming and its implications for disability equality, there is limited evidence to suggest that the public sector has fully embraced this agenda.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ferrie, Professor Jo and Paterson, Dr Kevin and Watson, Professor Nicholas and Pearson, Dr Charlotte
• Authors: Pearson, C., Watson, N., Stalker, K., Ferrie, J., Lepiniere, J., and Paterson, K.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing; College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences; College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Journal Name: Social Policy and Society
• ISSN: 1474-7464
• ISSN (Online): 1475-3073
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2011 Cambridge University Press
• First Published: First published in Social Policy and Society 10(2):239-250
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher