Disability Equality Scheme 2006-2009

Foreword

"We all want to live in communities where we can participate fully and equally" (Disability Rights Commission)

This statement lies at the heart of North Lanarkshire Council. We have addressed inequality in every corporate plan since our beginning in 1996. We have developed a range of policies and strategies including the equality and diversity policy and the social inclusion strategy to help us include this commitment into our day to day business ("mainstreaming").

Whatever we do as a service provider, employer or regulator, we work to promote equality of opportunity, remove inequality and tackle discrimination. Our culture plays a vital role in our aim of achieving equality for everyone.

Disabled people face very real barriers which may be institutional or based on attitudes, environment, communication or lack of information. This is why we need to promote a culture where everyone understands that it is these barriers, rather than a medical condition, which create 'disability'.

The Disability Equality Scheme and Action Plan demonstrates our commitment to tackling inequality and how we will make sure that disabled people are treated equally. They are based on the social model of disability and this is reflected in our equality and diversity policy.

We developed this scheme and action plan in partnership with key community and employee disability groups, whose support and input to this process have been invaluable. We must continue to work together to build communities where we can all participate fully and equally.

Cllr Jim McCabe
Leader of the Council

• Introduction
• Developing the scheme
• Involving disabled people
• Gathering Information
• Impact assessments
• Implementation
• Appendix 1
  • The Social Model of Disability
• Appendix 2
  • The National Standards for Community Engagement
•  Disability equality scheme action plan 2006-2009
  • Introduction 
  • Theme 1: Involvement and Consultation
  • Theme 2: Promoting Positive Attitudes
  • Theme 3: Service Delivery and Customer Care
  • Theme 4: Employment and Training
  • Theme 5: Access
  • Theme 6: Communication and Information
• Appendix 1 - Accessibility Strategy Key Tasks
  • Access to the curriculum
  • Access to the physical environment of schools
  • Improving communication and the delivery of school information
• Appendix 2
  • Glossary