The focus for LD Week in 2007 was the new Disability Equality Duty (DED) which came into force in December 2006.

 

This new duty covers public authorities, like schools, colleges, local councils, health services, the police and other emergency services.

                                 

 

The DED tells public authorities to look about all the services they provide and make sure that disabled people are treated equally when planning and delivering these services. The DED says public authorities need to have Disability Equality Schemes and should do everything they can to make sure disabled people aren’t harassed or treated unfairly.

 

 

Because of this new law we thought LD Week 07 would be a good chance to raise awareness of the DED and also the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

 

 

 

To do this we designed a postcard that people with learning disabilities and their families could give to public services they use. The postcard gives feedback to the service about whether the person thought it was good or not.

 

 

 

 

The other side of the card told the service about the DED and DDA, giving them details of how to get more information on these laws.

 

 

We also held an evening event at the Scottish Parliament to talk to MSPs, parliament staff and others about people with learning disabilities’ right to be treated as equal citizens. A young carer and young person with learning disabilities spoke about their experiences at the event and there was also a drama performance by Fairway Project which supports young disabled and non-disabled people in Ayrshire. Everyone really enjoyed the event.