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Disability rules come into force

Public organisations could face legal action if they fail to consider the needs of disabled people.
The new Disability Equality Duty, which comes into force on Monday, will affect bodies such as councils and the NHS.

They will have to actively look at ways to ensure that disabled people get equal treatment.

Separate laws are also to come into effect to give disabled tenants in the private rented sector new rights to adapt their homes to meet their needs.

Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm welcomed the new disability equality rules.

"The new duty to promote disability equality will help to change institutions and deliver equality for disabled people across the public sector," he said.

Elaine Noad, of the Disability Rights Commission, added: "It will have a major impact on the lives of disabled people and will radically shift the way public authorities deliver their services."

People with a disability are twice as likely to be unemployed, and have a higher chance of dying young from preventable causes.

One million people in Scotland have rights under the Disability Discrimination Act, and it is expected the new rules will cost up to £3m a year to administer. Separate measures under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 will also ensure private sector tenants can carry out works on their home to help them cope with problems of mobility.

Deputy Communities Minister Des McNulty said the legislation would give new rights to an estimated 178,000 tenants in the private sector.

"This will require landlords to consent to adaptations enabling some older or disabled tenants to stay in their homes, with all the personal and social benefits that brings," he said.