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The Disability Equality Duty has been developed to improve the lives of disabled people. Public servants and those at the highest level of government have responsibility for making sure that happens.
The ODI has policy responsibility for the Duty and works to support central government departments to implement duties effectively.
Key Secretaries of State have to report on progress towards disability equality across their policy sector by December 2008.
This involves looking beyond departmental boundaries at how public bodies are performing to ensure they work together effectively. The ODI have produced guidance to help government departments do this.
To help support government department to carry out the Secretary of State reporting requirement the ODI is commissioning a number of case studies.
DED research looks at what contribution the DED has made so far to organisational change and improved outcomes for disabled people.
Details of research will appear here soon.
The ODI hosts a working group which brings together professionals from across central government who are responsible for their department's Disability Equality Schemes.
This groups provides a forum for sharing ideas, questions and good practice as well as identifying opportunities for joined up working.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families recently published an on-line Equality Impact Assessment Workbook (links to DCSF website) that was produced to assist colleagues in carrying out equality impact assessments.
Others within the education sector may find this a useful tool as it has links to research and evidence to inform assessments.
A number of organisations have already told us how the DED has improved their services. For examples of the practical differences it has made see our case studies page.
To help raise awareness of the DED, the ODI are committed to promoting the DED and what it hopes to achieve across a range of sectors. So if you have any good news stories on how the DED has brought about change where you are please contact us.
The ODI jointly hosted a conference with National School of Government Conference (links to NSG website) for disabled staff and disability champions in December 2007.
The conference was chaired by Simon Minty and delegates were involved in interactive sessions on a range of topics, including a discussion session with Anne McGuire MP, Minister for Disabled People.
In March and April 2007, the ODI organised a series of dissemination events to share the findings of our compliance audit and share lesson learned and look at new ways forward to implement the DED.
Read Disability Equality Duty: Moving Forward report.
Before the duty came into force the ODI produced guidance on the duties imposed by the Disability Discrimination Act, to help civil servants understand the obligations of the Duty.
(377KB, 28 pages)