The Council has considered the remarks made at the Discussion of the above Report on 9 October 2007 (see Reporter, 2007-08, p. 85).
The Disability Equality Policy is intended to apply to all members of the University. It follows the format of the Equal Opportunities and Race Equality Policies (Statutes and Ordinances, pp. 152 and 154) which were adopted by Grace 3 of 22 May 2002 and Grace 2 of 23 July 2003, respectively, and which also covered both University staff and students.
The Council notes the comments made by Mr N. M. Maclaren and Dr D. R. de Lacey. The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (DDA) makes it clear that public authorities have a series of duties under the Act. These include the need to eliminate discrimination and harassment and to promote equality of opportunity between disabled persons and other persons; to take account of disabled persons' disabilities, even where that involves treating disabled persons more favourably than other persons; the need to promote positive attitudes towards disabled persons; and the need to encourage participation by disabled persons in public life.
The Disability Resource Centre and the Equality and Diversity Section of the Personnel Division will be responsible for raising awareness of the responsibilities of the University with regard to disability equality. In particular they will ensure through consultation with the Estate Management and Building Service (EMBS) and other University institutions that reporting and monitoring of physical and other access is embedded into action plans for the management of the estate.
The Council has agreed to submit a Grace to the Regent House for the approval of the recommendations contained in this Report (Grace 5, p. 211).