Dear colleagues (with apologies for cross posting)
Hope all is well with everyone.
The Disability Rights Commission Disability Equality Duty team have asked us to help them. They are keen to collect some examples of initial activity within a range of public bodies round the incoming disability equality duty. They are currently writing the final version of the Code of Practice on the new duty and have asked both ECU and the National Disability Team to approach HEIs on their behalf . They want the final version of the Code of Practice to include not just examples from local authorities but some examples from post 16 education organisations.
We know that many institutions are really only at the very beginning of drawing up plans to tackle the new duty but we also know that some institutions have been developing some interesting responses to the duty. If your institution is one of these and has taken some action already round the incoming duty, no matter how modest or small scale, we would be keen to hear of it so that we can then pass that information on to the DRC disability equality duty team. (We will not pass on the name of the institution, unless you expressly wish us to).
ECU and NDT are continuing their 'low profile' work on the new duty meantime with a small number of HEIs, co-learning with them what is actually involved in implementing the duty, with the aim of ensuring that subsequent guidance later on this year is grounded in real understanding of what it is like at the sharp end. More on that as it develops: and more news from ECU on the new duty soon.
We look forward to hearing from you . A short email either to the list or to the disability team at [log in to unmask] is fine. What you tell us will not just help the DRC but will help us,too, build a more comprehensive picture of who is doing what in the sector.
Many thanks.
And I should take this opportunity to introduce our new colleague, Robyn Challis, who joins us today as Policy Officer (Disability and Age) from the DRC. We are delighted to have Robyn with us.
Looking forward to hearing from you
With good wishes
Liz Sutherland
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