Disability Discrimination Act: Functions of Public Bodies

The purpose of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is to promote and protect the civil rights of disabled individuals in the United Kingdom.  Protection comes in the form of public bodies providing provisions that prohibit discrimination against disabled people. Additionally, public bodies are required to take certain actions to ensure that discrimination does not occur.

The Function of Public Bodies Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995

A public body is more or less an organization whose work is part of a governmental process, but who is not a government department.  According to the Disability Discrimination Act, it is the innate job of these public bodies (organizations) to promote equal opportunities for disabled people.  This act also sets minimum standards so that disabled individuals can better get access to and use public transportation.  The Disability Discrimination Act ensures that no person or organization can treat disabled people in any discriminatory way. 

• As a group, disabled people are those individuals who have a mental or physical impairment that affects their ability to perform everyday activities. 
• Under the physical and mental impairment category, disabilities such as mental illnesses, mental health problems, learning disability, diabetes and epilepsy are protected. 
• Additionally, people who have been diagnosed with HIV, cancer, and multiple sclerosis also are considered to be disabled. 

It is important to note that disabled does not mean disadvantaged, and just because an individual has been labeled as being disabled it is not okay to discriminate against him or her, or commit illegal acts (as disclosed in the provisions below) against them. 

What Is Illegal Under the Disability Discrimination Act

New provisions are always added to this particular act, because public bodies always have new duties to accomplish.  Functions of public bodies as relative to this act include: 

• Issuing licenses and promoting opportunities for disabled individuals.
• Working towards eliminating disability related harassment and discrimination;
• Promoting positive attitudes towards disabled people; and
• Encouraging disabled individuals to actively participate in public life. 

Public bodies are also tasked with making reasonable accommodations and adjustments for disabled individuals.  Reasonable accommodations may refer to any practices or procedures that make carrying out a task difficult for the disabled individual.  For example, failure to comply with the mandated functions of a public body as referential to the Disability Discrimination Act, is also considered to be an act of non-compliance.

Getting Help

If you live in the UK and are concerned about the function of public bodies, it is a good idea to contact an experienced attorney. Your lawyer can explain to you what obligations you have under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and can help you to understand how best to interface with the public bodies that oversee the legislation.