Implementation

Work to date

In preparing the Strategy the Authority :

gave approval, at its meeting on 22 February 2007 to the main principles and a timetable for delivering the Strategy by September 2007;
maintained links with external disability groups to enable consultation throughout the process of establishing the Strategy;
held meetings in March and May 2007 with staff Equality Champions and external groups to develop Impact Assessment Forms;
provided training for staff Equality Champions on Disability Awareness and a more practical session focusing on impact assessments, both facilitated by a representative from a local Disability Information Service;
used impact assessments to assess the Authority’s functions and services under the full range of equality and diversity legislation; Annex A is an index of all the completed assessments available; Annex B is an example of a completed impact assessment.
developed a Three Year Action Plan (KB) (Annex C) from the results of the impact assessments.

In addition, the Authority has:

appointed a lead member for Equality and Diversity who has attended all Equality Meetings and undertaken Equality and Diversity Training;
implemented a programme of Equality and Diversity training for all staff and members, starting in February 2007, with additional sessions for line managers;
worked with external experts to produce a portfolio of policies and procedures that include Equal Opportunities, and Bullying and Harassment which are now at the stage of consultation with staff before being implemented;
reviewed the website content and accessibility in line with Disability Rights Commission guidance.