Proposed changes

This page summarises some key proposed changes. There are more detailed pages on changes relating to employment, services, meaning of disability, education, and disability equality duty. The proposed changes would not necessarily apply to Northern Ireland.

Implementation timetable: April 2009? Employment dispute resolution - repeal of statutory dispute resolution procedures 2010- ? Single Equality Act, with new objective 'justification' test, possibly wider definition of 'disability'(?), etc. NB: timetable is provisional. More detail on: Employment Services Meaning of "Disability" Education Disability Equality Duty & 'Transparency'

• Single Equality Bill
• Meaning of 'disability'
• Resolving workplace disputes

Single Equality Bill

The Government proposes to introduce a single Equality Bill which would merge race, gender, disability discrimination etc into one piece of legislation. However, the proposals also include major changes to disability discrimination law, such as a revised 'justification' defence and disability equality duty. More on Equality Bill...

Meaning of 'disability'

The Disability Rights Commission recommended that the definition of 'disability' in the Equality Bill should be wider than at present, so that the law provides protection against discrimination on the grounds of impairment, without having to show its effects are substantial or long term. The Government seems not to accept this recommendation at present. More on possible change to definition of disability...