RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.

The new Disability Equality Duty (DED) has come into force. The DED will help:

  • end the causes of discrimination 
  • stop institutionalised disability discrimination
  • improve the quality of life of disabled people

We have been campaigning and working on the DED with the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) and other organisations since the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) passed in 2005. The duty will have a major impact on the lives of disabled people.

Public authorities will have to show what they have done to promote disability equality and  stop discrimination. Authorities have to pay attention to disabled people's views to meet the requirements of the duty. They will now:

  • include equality in their policies, budgets and services 
  • take steps to meet disabled people’s needs, even if this means treating them more favourably than non-disabled people.

Find out how the DED affects individuals.
Find out how the DED affects public authorities.