Assess your knowledge of the Equality Act 2010 in disability

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Equity of opportunity, not just equality of treatment

Designed and written Dr. Andy Tyerman BEM an honorary consultant clinical neuropsychologists and former head of service for a community brain injury rehabilitation service.  He has over the last two years developed resources to raise awareness of disability rights.  This was prompted by widespread disability discrimination within the NHS. This is not surprising as neither the disability requirements of the UK Equality Act (2010), nor the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD, 2006), are covered consistently in professional training.

The following resources have been developed: a Disability Discrimination Awareness Questionnaire (DDAQ);  5 X Disability Discrimination Practice Checklists (DDPCs) (one for professionals, managers, course tutors, vocational rehabilitation practitioners and assistants); background information, suggested action and reference material. These are hosted on a dedicated website:   https://equitynotjustequality.co.uk/  . These aim to increase awareness, avoid inadvertent discrimination and enhance practice, whilst also reducing risk of complaints/grievances, disciplinary/regulatory body action and any legal claims. A natural starting point is the DDAQ.

Disability Discrimination Awareness Questionnaire(DDAQ)

Introduction

The Disability Discrimination Awareness Questionnaire(DDAQ) assessing an individual's understanding of their duties under the Equality Act 2010  the expectations of the GMC ,HCPC and UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD, 2006) It is a 15-20 mins. training exercise(CPD) on disability rights.

Early Findings concerns

• The DDAQ responses of the first 100 health and other care workers highlight a striking variation in awareness. 

• Whilst some staff are aware, many others are not with only 11% of respondents achieving the target score and 38% scoring at 50% or less .

• The DDAQ is also identifying where gaps in awareness lie with 3 of 7 items related to the definition of disability and 4/10 items relating to the requirement to make reasonable adjustments known by less than 50% of healthcare staff. 

• This is of particular concern as the UNCRPD sets out additional specific responsibilities for healthcare staff, over and above the core requirements of the Equality Act, as required in professional registration standards.

On a positive note, completing the DDAQ increases awareness, resulting in a 34% increase in self-ratings of awareness for all respondents. This increases to 40% if the 9 highest scorers with no need and little scope to improve are excluded. For those with previous self-ratings at or below 50%, awareness rose by 89%.  The extent of the rise in awareness indicates a current lack of effective training on the disability requirements of the UNCRPD and Equality Act. With a larger group,  staff will be able to compare their awareness with a provisional reference group whilst more refined reference groups (e.g. by profession, specialty and/or experience) are developed to identify any specific training needs. 

Report on Early findings

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