On this Page:
Introduction Steps to getting your DES underway Developing your school's DES
Further Information:
Starting Point - Who is Disabled? Promoting Disability Equality in Schools
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Getting your Disability Equality Scheme in Place

Introduction

Secondary schools have been required to have these in place since December 2006, and primary and special schools have until December 2007. The DCSF have produced some very helpful practical guidance on developing schemes: Promoting Disability Equality in Schools, which can be found in section 6 of Implementing the DDA in schools and early years settings (0160-2006DOC-EN).

Schools are expected to take a staged approach to developing their DES, with an action plan outlining activities they intend to undertake in the next three years.  The action plan should be considered within the timeframes of individual School Improvement Plans and self-evaluation processes.

A key part of the requirement is that children, young people and adults with a disability need to be involved in identifying priorities for action and that key indicators of success include raising achievement and addressing any incidences of bullying or discrimination. Thus the school’s SEF and School Improvement Plan will be key in implementing the duty for pupils, families and staff. We would recommend two manageable starting points in gathering information for your school’s DES:

• Finding out who are the pupils/families in your school with a disability (bearing in mind the extended definition of disability).
• Analysing the pattern of attainment/achievement in your school for pupils with a disability (through SEF)

You have already made a positive start in developing your school’s DES, by your work in developing reasonable adjustments and improving access to the curriculum, physical environment and written materials, through accessibility planning. Your school’s DES will build on this existing work, which will make a difference for all pupils, including those with a disability.

The General Duty

• Word 2003, 33kb/1 page, 14/09/2007, general_duties.doc

The Specific Duty - shows how the general duty will be met

• Word 2003, 43kb/1 page, 14/09/2007, specific_duties.doc

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Steps to getting your DES underway

Outline for a Disability Equality Scheme

• Word 2003, 80kb/1, 18/09/2007, outline description.doc

Template for a Disability Equality Scheme action plan

• Word 2003, 30kb/1, 18/09/2007,action planning proforma

Example of a Disability Equality Scheme action plan

• Word 2003, 31.5kb/1, 13/11/2007, example action plan.doc

Flow Diagram of Developing a Disability Equality Scheme

• Word 2003, 80kb/1 page, 14/09/2007, flowdiagram.doc
  

Is Tom Disabled?

• Word 2003, 25kb/1 page, 14/09/2007, is_tom disabled.doc

Inclusion Tool with Practical Examples of how Schools may be Implementing their DDA

• Word 2003, 80kb/6 pages, 14/09/2007, inclusion tool_140907.doc

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Developing your School's DES

Outline for a Disability Equality Scheme with Case Studies

• Word 2003, 80kb/6 pages, 18/09/2007, outline description_casestudies.doc

Action planning proforma linking DES/Accessibility Plan

• Word 2003, 36kb/1 page, 13/11/2007, A3 table.doc

Criteria for assessing a school disability equality scheme

• Word 2003, 83kb/1 page, 18/09/2007, criteria_assessing_school_disability_equality.doc

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