The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
What is it and what does it mean for sports clubs?
The Act which came into full effect on the 1st October is
designed to provide equal access to employment and services to the
public throughout the UK.
Sports clubs provide a ‘service to the public’ so they will come
under the term of the Act. At present small private member
clubs (i.e. typical sports clubs) are exempt from the Act but a
further bill is expected to become law next year that will include
them.
Who is disabled?
According to the act “someone who has a physical or mental
impairment which has an effect on his or her ability to carry out
normal day-to–day activities”
This also includes sensory and hidden impairments, mental
illness, learning difficulties, diabetes or epilepsy.
What should clubs provide?
“A service to a disabled person on terms which are worse than
the terms offered to other people, without justification” In other
words this means the all sports clubs should be open to disabled
people to become members and participate in activities.
So what does this actually mean?
Clubs are expected to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to
facilities and working practices to ensure that disabled people are
not prevented from joining in.
For example this may take the form of provision of a ramp or
enlarging signs on the premises. However, it is just as
important as changes to buildings as it is for clubs to adopt a
positive ‘can do’ attitude towards inclusion by providing for staff
training with volunteers.
Other ways to create a positive approach to compliance
- Promoting an ‘inclusive environment’ in all clubs through
education and social interaction
- Giving people choice in their activities – not presuming that
they will not wish to try something new or difficult
- Giving equal attention to all you disabled participants
- Making use of existing networks like The English Federation of Sports
Disability Sports(EFDS) See the contacts at the end of this
section.
Won’t this cost us money?
Some facility changes can be costly but other adaptations can be
simple:
- Making sure all signs and leaflets are available in large print
and plain English
- Grants are available from a number of organisations which may
be used to assist with minor changes to buildings.
- www.grantsonline.org.uk for more information on
grants.
How do we get started?
Welcoming smiles for all!
- As clubs - start to work with local disability groups (e.g.
EFDS & Sports West) Disabled people are used to using these
networks
- Set out a clear policy on Inclusion - see EFDS for sample
policy documents at http://www.efds.net
For more information visit the Disability Discrimination Act website.
Contact the Regional office of the EFDS on or by email
southwest@efds.co.uk
