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Implications of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and Education Act 1996 for schools

The definition of disability is very broad and includes more pupils than many people think. A wide range of impairments is covered including, for example, learning disabilities, dyslexia, diabetes and epilepsy, where the effect of the impairment on the pupil’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities is adverse, substantial and long-term.

To support schools and local authorities, the Department for Education has produced comprehensive guidance in the form of Implementing the Disability Discrimination Act in Schools and Early Years Settings. This document provides all the necessary information and templates to assist schools in creating their accessibility policies and plans and includes a CD ROM and three DVDs which give good examples of reasonable adjustments. This document can be ordered from Teachernet.

The Teachernet site provides a great deal of information which gives a clear understanding of schools’ duties and responsibilities in relation to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA).

Please use the links below for further information but note that some of these are Microsoft Word documents that you may not be able to open. These are intended mainly for staff in Medway schools.

Duties towards disabled pupils (Word 33KB) The DDA and the Education Act 1996 combine to provide the statutory framework that underpins equality of opportunity for disabled pupils in accessing education.
Definition of disability (Word 21KB)
  • Mental and physical impairments.
  • Normal day-to-day activities.
  • Special educational needs and disability.

Diagnostic tool: Is Tom Disabled? (Word 30KB)
  • Does Tom have a difficulty with any normal day-to-day activities?
  • Is Tom’s difficulty caused by an underlying impairment or condition?
  • Has Tom’s impairment or condition lasted or is it likely to last, a year or more?
  • Is the effect of Tom’s impairment or condition more than minor or trivial?
Disability Equality Scheme
  • Promoting the disability equality duty and schemes in schools.
  • What needs to be in the Disability Equality Scheme.

For more information contact us by telephone: 01634 333333 or by email: school.improvement@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR

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