RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.

The DDA covers most companies, organisations, public bodies and individuals that are involved in:

  • employing people with disabilities (apart from the Armed Forces)
  • providing goods, services or facilities (including insurance)
  • selling or renting property (such as houses, flats or offices)
  • providing education (schools, colleges and universities) to people with disabilities.

The DDA says service providers must not discriminate against people with disabilities. It also says service providers have to make reasonable adjustments so that disabled people do not have serious difficulties using their services.

What is a service provider?

Under the DDA, service providers are most individuals, companies or organisations that offer goods, facilities or services within the UK to the public or to a section of the public. Some service providers are not covered by the DDA such as manufacturers, private clubs and some areas of public transport.

What type of employment is covered?

The DDA covers people in full-time, part-time and temporary work. It also covers self-employed people and people looking for work.

You can find more information about all of the issues explained on this page in our employment factsheets.

Your responsibilities (as an employer)

The Disability Rights Commission (DRC), British Deaf Association (BDA) and RNID have written guidance to help employers, trade organisations and service providers understand their duties to provide sign language interpreters.

Guidance on providing sign language interpreters

The "Guidance on providing British Sign Language/English Interpreters under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995" gives general information about British Sign Language (BSL), its users and BSL/English interpreters. It explains the duty to provide BSL/English interpreters (opens new browser window) and gives practical examples.

The guidance is aimed at employers, trade organisations and service providers. Advisers will find the information useful. It is also of interest to deaf BSL-users who want to know more about their right to a sign language interpreter.

Quick reference guide

The quick reference guide (opens new browser window) is a summary of the guidance.

Signed version of the quick reference guide 

You can see signed video clips of the quick reference guide with examples. 

More information

See our factsheets for more information about the DDA and employing deaf people.