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Employers & Service Providers

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Employers

In this employment section, you will find information on what the changes to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) mean for your business or organisation. It does not matter how many staff you employ, all employers except the armed forces are covered by the DDA in Northern Ireland. Employers cannot treat disabled people less favourably for a reason relating to their disability and they have to consider what reasonable adjustments they can make to remove the disadvantage. From 31October 2007, people with cancer, HIV and MS will be covered by the DDA from the point of diagnosis. People with mental ill health will no longer have to prove it is 'clinically well recognised' but will have to show that the impairment has a substantial and long term effect on day-to-day activities.

Download an Overview of employers' duties (Revised)

More information:

What is a disability? (for employers) |
Disability discrimination in employment |
Reasonable adjustments in employment for people with mental ill health |
Reasonable adjustments for people with cancer, MS and HIV |
Further information and support |

Service providers

If you provide a service to the public or a section of the public, then you have duties under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). Service providers have a duty under the DDA not to discriminate without justification against a disabled person. As a service provider you have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to the way services are provided and have to identify and overcome physical features which make it difficult for disabled people to use the service. All services which are open to the public or a section of the public are covered by the DDA. It does not matter if the service is for free or for a cost.

Download more information on What Service Providers Need to Know (Revised)

More information: What is a disability for service providers |
Changes to service provision |
More support and information |