Legislation

Made it unlawful to discriminate against a disabled person in:-

• employment
• provision of goods, facilities & services
• education
• management, buying or renting of land or property

Key points of the act

• Premises should be reasonably accessible to everyone
• Businesses must make reasonable adjustments (only those employing over 20 people) - can refuse if risk to company e.g. costs
• Policy/document should be produced outling anti-discriminatory practice
• New public transport have access from around 2000 to 2005
• Individuals can take a complaint through employment tribunal
• Makes it illegal to discriminate against disabled person in respect of recruitment and training.

• Reasonable adjustments - some businesses allowed to avoid making reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabled employees (those that employ under 20)
• Reasonable adjustments - Some cases, organisations are able to argue that some adjustments are not reasonable as they're not affordable
• Policies - people produce impressive-looking documents but do not actually act upon them
• Complaints - not all willing to make complaint under the law. Can be difficult, time consuming & expensive.
• Public transport - old transport still being used do not have access

The act established The Disability Rights Commission - gives general duties & powers to:-

•  
  • work towards the elimination against disabled people
  • promote equalisation of opportunities for disabled people
  • take steps to encourage good practise in the treatment of disabled people
  • Keep the DDA 1995 under review
  • undertake formal investigations
  • assist disabled people by offering information, advice & support in taking cases forward

Main provisions of the Act

• Increase the use of community care
• Increase independence (given choice, autonomy & social support)
• services more appropriate for the needs of the client
• a mixed economy of care
• care management system e.g. assess, plan, implement
• increased participation in community - improved quality of life
• 

Limitations

•  
  • Doesn't benefit all clients
  • Less support for those with mental health problems
  • More risks of accidents
  • Funding isn't adequate to fulfill everyone's needs
  • Inadequate resources
  • Some have stopped taking medication
  • Care is only available part-time - places more demand on informal carers

Assessment

- Social worker or other health professional visits client at home to assess the person's level of need.

-Check the health mentally & physically of person & others they live with

-Asses the capability of carrying out daily living tasks e.g. cup of tea, washing

- Carried out by observation and interview.

Planning

- Care plan is drawn up - Document of someones needs & services required to assist their daily living. Includes timings of when services are provided, review dates

- Drawn up in consultation with client

Implementation

- Carrying out the tasks set in the care plan

Monitoring

- Checking that services are being provided in accordance with care plan

- Problems are recorded

Reviewing

- Regular meetings with client to see if any changes need to be done

- If care was temporary, further reviewing & care planning do not need to continue