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chapter two: Scottish Executive approach to disability equality
Background
2.1 Our work on disability equality sits squarely within the context of our Equality Strategy and our commitment to mainstreaming, underpinned by dialogue and communication, developing research and statistics, and awareness raising. By providing a clear framework for action, the disability equality duty will help to drive mainstreaming and will help us to deliver the work which we have already embarked upon.
Mainstreaming
2.2 Since 2000 the Executive has been pushing forward activities to embed equality, including disability equality, into all its activities and in 2005 gave this work a particular focus with the establishment of a Mainstreaming team within the Executive's Equality Unit. The focus of their work has been to encourage departments to think about equality issues in the development of their policies and programmes and to ensure that the systems of the Executive are geared to supporting staff in this. Some examples of the progress which has been made are:
- all internal policy briefing notes (Brix notes) now have an equalities section;
- equality issues, including disability, are incorporated into the Better Policy Making guidance available to staff;
- updated guidance on equalities is provided to bill teams and an equality clause is considered for all Scottish Executive Bills;
- the Good Consultation Guide was reviewed for its equality content;
- equalities is included in the guidance for public bodies on Best Value;
- business planning guidance for Executive departments highlights the need to consider equality issues; and
- the guidance on preparation of the Executive's draft budget requests information on equality.
2.3 Several departments, such as Health, Education and the Crown Office have staff with specific responsibility for equality work and they have been instrumental in strengthening the equality work in those areas.
2.4 Further work on mainstreaming is reflected in the actions outlined in this scheme.
Consultation and communication
2.5 The duty sets a framework to help us deliver better dialogue and communication mechanisms and to go further to involve disabled people in Scottish Executive policy making. Since 2002 we have been supporting two national grassroots disability organisations to develop networks and structures with disability communities across Scotland. Our funding for Inclusion Scotland and the Scottish Disability Equality Forum has helped us to reach and engage directly with disabled people. The disability equality duty gives an opportunity to strengthen the way that we work with disabled people and this is discussed further in chapter 4. We remain committed to working with national disability led organisations.
2.6 We also have direct links and close working relations with key service providers in the disability sector who in turn have networks of disabled people. We have been keen to engage their experience and have valued their work with us.
2.7 Several departments have fostered strong links with disability communities and will be seeking to maintain and broaden these links in the period ahead. Departments who have not traditionally had much contact with disabled groups directly recognise the value of doing so and a programme of work will be undertaken to assist them.
Developing research and statistics
2.8 Developing the information base in relation to disability has also been a key strand of our work. We published the Social Focus on Disability in August 2004 and a report on High Level equality statistics in November 2006. Our plans for developing this work further are discussed at chapter 11.
Looking ahead
Cross departmental disability group
2.9 A cross departmental group on disability has been established drawing on the expertise of officials across the Executive. It provides a useful forum for sharing experience, co-ordinating activity and identifying issues. It will help to take forward the recommendations of the disability working group (see chapter 3) and provide a regular oversight of the progress in implementing the disability equality duty.
Audit and inspection
2.10 The disability working group (see chapter 3) recommended that the Scottish Executive, audit and inspection bodies and the Disability Rights Commission should consider developing a framework for auditing of the disability equality duty.
2.11 Whilst the DRC is the enforcement body in relation to the Disability Equality Duty, audit and inspection bodies and the Scottish Executive recognise the importance of finding an appropriate framework for auditing for disability equality and equality more generally. An advisory group has been established consisting of the Scottish Executive, the three statutory equality commissions (Disability Rights Commission, Equal Opportunities Commission and Commission for Racial Equality), and audit and inspection bodies (including Audit Scotland and Her Majesty's Inspectors of Education - HMIE).
Public Sector Equality Forum
2.12 The Executive is committed to continuing to work with the DRC, disabled people and public authorities in Scotland to encourage and support the implementation of the disability equality duty. As part of this we plan to establish a Public Sector Equality Forum and will use this as a route to promote shared or joint approaches by public authorities. This Forum will be able to consider the issues arising from all three public equality duties.
Scottish Ministers' duty
2.13 The specific duties set out in the Disability Discrimination (Public Authorities) (Statutory Duties) Regulations 2005 require the Scottish Ministers to publish reports by 1 December 2008 (and every 3 years thereafter) giving an overview on progress towards equality of opportunity between disabled people and other people made by public authorities. The duty will also require Ministers to set out proposals for the co-ordination of action by public authorities to progress disability equality.
2.14 The Scottish Executive will work with the Scottish public sector to develop a strategic approach to this.
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