DDA - Education 

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The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 amended the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) to make it unlawful for education providers to discriminate against disabled pupils, students and adult learners.

This means that it is un-lawful under the DDA for education providers to treat Disabled People less favourably than any other student.  This affects: -

  • local education authorities (LEAs);

  • schools;

  • colleges;

  • universities;

  • providers of adult education; and

  • the statutory youth service.

It also means that these education providers must make reasonable adjustments, by providing aids to ensure that Disabled People in education do not suffer a disadvantage in comparison to other groups.

Making 'reasonable adjustments' means: -

  • changing any practice, which makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for Disabled People to use a service (e.g. waiving a no dogs policy for blind students accompanied by their guide dog) ;

  • providing an aid or service which would enable Disabled People to use a service (for example, providing a British Sign Language interpreter and hearing loops where hearing impaired people will be present);

  • overcoming physical barriers by providing services by alternative methods, or adapting the premises to improve accessibility.

Codes of Practice

Education providers follow the guidelines as set down in a series of Codes of Practice.  These describe in more detail how education providers are to comply with the DDA and related legislation.

The Disability Rights Commission, an independent body representing the interests of Disabled People, has published two Codes of Practice for education providers.  

Code of Practice for Schools,
Code of Practice for providers of Post 16 education and related services,

The Department of Education and Skills has published a Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs.

Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs,