The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) was passed to address the discrimination that many disabled people face. Different parts of the legislation came into force at different times and the original Act was amended in 2005.
The DDA means that employers and service providers must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ or changes to take account of the needs of disabled employees and customers.
Consulting disabled people
We work closely with other council departments that provide services to the public, and we set up consultation groups of disabled people. These groups give their views on particular council plans or services.
If you are a disabled person, and you would like to take part in discussions about how the council might improve their services, please contact the equality team on 0113 247 4190 or text: 07891 270162.
Access guide to Leeds: DisabledGo
The council is working in partnership with DisabledGo to provide an internet-based access guide to the city. The guide gives you lots of detailed access information to help you to judge for yourself which hotels, cinemas, restaurants, solicitor's offices, pubs, train stations - all kinds of shops and services- are accessible to you.
Follow the web link from this page to access the site.
The council's Learning and Leisure Department also publishes a guidebook of walks called 'Gateways to the Countryside of Leeds'. Written with the help of disabled people, this book describes 20 accessible walks in the parks and countryside of Leeds. Find out more and download an online copy of the leaflet by following the link from this page.
Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
We have reviewed all Leeds City Council's policies to bring them in line with the DDA and advise managers, recruiters and frontline staff on the implications of the DDA for them.
We are committed to improving our services and making them more accessible and user friendly for disabled people. We have signed up to the Disability Rights Commission’s Open 4 All campaign which aims to raise awareness of the duties for service providers to improve physical access.
Employment issues
We have made sure that the council's employment policies take account of the DDA. And we work with all council departments to get more job opportunities for disabled people. You can download our leaflet Information for disabled people who are looking for a job with Leeds Council from this page.
LEODIS Leeds Employment Opportunities - delivering individual support
LEODIS is a part of Leeds City Council's Social Services department. It delivers a scheme that enables individuals with disabilities to access employment with funding and support. This support is offered through the Workstep programme, which is a model of Supported Employment funded through JobCentre Plus.
LEODIS provides an holistic person centred service in partnership with employees and employers. They work to raise aspirations and offer the skills and equipment needed for disabled people to enjoy a successful career.
LEODIS, along with employers; assists with reasonable adjustments and can fund additional training and specialist equipment. LEODIS is always there to offer support and guidance to employers and the partners they work with.
LEODIS are always looking for suitable work placements/vacancies for their clients. If you feel you can offer an employment opportunity to a disabled person or would like further information about Workstep please contact our Development Officer.
Telephone: 0113 2145843
Fax: 0113 2145808
Minicom: 0113 2145807
Emergency evacuation of disabled visitors
We have produced a booklet - Emergency evacuation of disabled visitors on how to deal with evacuating disabled visitors safely. It has lots of practical help on how to produce a clear and safe evacuation policy for all your disabled visitors.
You are free to download our guidance booklet, but if you use it to produce your own policies, please acknowledge us in your publications.