The
Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) applies to all organisations
employing 15 or more people. The Act makes it "unlawful for
employers to treat a person less favourably for a reason related
to the person’s present or past disability than they treat
(or would treat) a person to whom that reason does not (or would
not apply)".
Dr.O’Sullivan
discusses the everyday implications for employers and employees
and how he and his team carry out relevant risk assessments at
the "potentially disabled person’s" job in their
workplace involving the individual concerned and their manager
to facilitate a practical and pragmatic way forward. The Code
of Practice is also discussed and the role it plays in handling
disability issues.
This wide-ranging
presentation covers the occupational health aspects of the Act
using cartoons to illustrate key various points. The legislation
is outlined and explained. The definition and meaning of disability,
reasonable adjustments and examples of compliance in the workplace
are explored with relevant illustrated examples. Medical examples
including physical, psychological/mental are covered. In some
cases where discrimination has occurred this may be justified
on health and safety or medical grounds.
