What is the Disability Discrimination Act 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.
“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.
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.
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