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Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland

1995 c. 50 · Enacted 8 November 1995 · Extends to United Kingdom

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 27 January 2020.

An Act to make it unlawful to discriminate against disabled persons in connection with employment, the provision of goods, facilities and services or the disposal or management of premises; to make provision about the employment of disabled persons; and to establish a National Disability Council.

[8th November 1995]

F1C1E1C2C3C4C5Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Annotations to the whole text

Textual amendments

F1

Act repealed (E.W.S.) (1.10.2010 (except for the repeal of ss. 49A-49D) and 5.4.2011 in so far as not already in force) by Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), 216(3), Sch. 27 Pt. 1 (as substituted (1.10.2010) by S.I. 2010/2279, Sch. 2) (with ss. 6(4), 205, and with amendments and savings in the said S.I. 2010/2279, art. 16); S.I. 2010/2317, art. 2(15)(f) (with arts. 4-25, Schs. 1-16); S.I. 2011/1066, art. 2(h)

Modifications

C1

Act restricted (E.W.S.) (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 17, ss. 21, 46 (with s. 38)

Act restricted (8.8.1998) by S.I. 1996/1919 (N.I. 16), art. 160(1)(b) (as substituted (8.8.1998) by S.I. 1998/1265 (N.I. 8), arts. 1(2), 15(3); S.R. 1998/274, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 (with savings and transitional provisions in art. 3))

Act: transfer of certain functions (N.I.) (1.12.1999) by S.R. 1999/481, art. 8(a), Sch. 6 Pt. I

Act (except ss. 8, 9(4)(d), 10(2)(b)): transfer of certain functions (N.I.)(1.12.1999) by S.R. 1999/481, art. 4(a), Sch. 2 Pt. I

C2

Act: power to amend conferred (N.I) (1.9.2005) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1117 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1, 38(6); S.R. 2005/336, art. 2, Sch.

C3

Act: applied (with modifications) (S.) (3.11.2008) by The Mental Health (England and Wales Cross-border transfer: patients subject to requirements other than detention) (Scotland) Regulations (S.S.I. 2008/356), {regs. 2, 33(1)}

C4

Act applied (N.I.) (10.12.2015) by Children's Services Co-operation Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 10 (N.I.)), ss. 9(3)(b), 10(1)

C5

Act: transfer of functions (N.I.) (8.5.2016) by The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/76), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 (with art. 9(2))

Extent

E1

Act extends to Northern Ireland subject to modifications: see s. 70(6), Sch. 8.

Contents

  1. Part I: Disability
  2. 1Meaning of “disability” and “disabled person”.
  3. 2Past disabilities.
  4. 3Guidance.
  5. Part II: THE EMPLOYMENT FIELD AND DISTRICT COUNCILS and members of locally-electable authorities
  6. Meaning of “discrimination” and “harassment”
  7. 3AMeaning of “discrimination”
  8. 3BMeaning of “harassment”
  9. Employment
  10. 4Discrimination against applicants and employees.
  11. 5Meaning of “discrimination” Repealed
  12. 6Duty of employer to make adjustments. Repealed
  13. 7Exemption for small businesses. Repealed
  14. Contract workers
  15. Office-holders
  16. Occupational pension schemes
  17. Partnerships
  18. Barristers and advocatesBarristers
  19. Enforcement etc.
  20. 9Validity of certain agreements. Repealed
  21. 10Charities and support for particular groups of persons. Repealed
  22. 11Advertisements suggesting that employers will discriminate against disabled persons Repealed
  23. Discrimination by other persons
  24. 12Discrimination against contract workers. Repealed
  25. 15Appeal against refusal of exemption certificate. Repealed
  26. Trade and professional bodies
  27. Practical work experience
  28. Relationships between locally-electable authorities and their membersRelationships between district councils and their members
  29. . . .
  30. 16Alterations to premises occupied under leases. Repealed
  31. Other unlawful acts
  32. . . .
  33. 17Occupational pension schemes. Repealed
  34. Enforcement etc.
  35. 17AEnforcement, remedies and procedure.
  36. Supplementary and general
  37. 18Insurance services. Repealed
  38. 18AAlterations to premises occupied under leases.
  39. 18BReasonable adjustments: supplementary
  40. 18EPremises provided otherwise than in course of a Part 2 relationship
  41. Part III: Discrimination in Other Areas
  42. Goods, facilities and services
  43. 19Discrimination in relation to goods, facilities and services.
  44. 20Meaning of “discrimination”
  45. 21Duty of providers of services to make adjustments.
  46. 21AEmployment services
  47. Public authorities
  48. Private clubs etc.
  49. 21FDiscrimination by private clubs etc.
  50. 21GMeaning of “discrimination”
  51. 21HDuty to make adjustments
  52. 21J“Member”, “associate” and “guest”
  53. Premises
  54. 22Discrimination in relation to premises.
  55. 23Exemption for small dwellings.
  56. 24Meaning of “discrimination” .
  57. Enforcement, etc.
  58. 25Enforcement, remedies and procedure.
  59. 26Validity and revision of certain agreements.
  60. 27Alterations to premises occupied under leases.
  61. 28Conciliation of disputes.
  62. Residual duty of education authorities
  63. Enforcement: Scotland
  64. Agreements relating to enforcement
  65. Interpretation of Chapter 1
  66. Chapter 2: FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
  67. Enforcement, etc.
  68. 29Education of disabled persons. Repealed
  69. Duties of funding councils
  70. 30Further and higher education of disabled persons. 1992 c.13. Repealed
  71. 31Further and higher education of disabled persons: Scotland. 1992 c. 37. Repealed
  72. Interpretation of Chapter 2
  73. Chapter 3: SUPPLEMENTARY
  74. Part V: Public Transport
  75. Taxis
  76. 32Taxi accessibility regulations.
  77. 33Designated transport facilities. Not yet in force
  78. 34New licences conditional on compliance with taxi accessibility regulations. Not yet in force
  79. 35Exemption from taxi accessibility regulations. Not yet in force
  80. 36Carrying of passengers in wheelchairs.
  81. 37Carrying of guide dogs and hearing dogs.
  82. 37ACarrying of assistance dogs in private hire vehicles
  83. 38AppealsAppeal against refusal of exemption certificate
  84. 39Requirements as to disabled passengers in Scotland. Repealed
  85. Public service vehicles
  86. 40PSV accessibility regulations.
  87. 41Accessibility certificates.
  88. 42Approval certificates.
  89. 43Special authorisations.
  90. 44Reviews and appeals.
  91. 45Fees.
  92. Rail vehicles
  93. 46Rail vehicle accessibility regulations.
  94. 47Exemption from rail vehicle accessibility regulations.
  95. Supplemental
  96. 48Offences by bodies corporate etc.
  97. 49Forgery and false statements.
  98. Part 5A: Public authorities
  99. Part 5B: Improvements to dwelling houses
  100. Part VI: The National Disability Council
  101. 50. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  102. 51Codes of practice prepared by the Council.
  103. 52Further provision about codes issued under section 51. Repealed
  104. Part VII: Supplemental
  105. 54ACodes of practice.
  106. 53Codes of practice prepared by the Secretary of State.
  107. 54Further provision about codes issued under section 53.
  108. 55Victimisation.
  109. 56Help for aggrieved persons in obtaining information etc.
  110. 57Aiding unlawful acts.
  111. 58Liability of employers and principals.
  112. 59Statutory authority and national security etc.
  113. 59ANational security
  114. Part VIII: Miscellaneous
  115. 60Appointment by Secretary of State of advisers.
  116. 61Amendment of Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944.
  117. 62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  118. 63Restriction of publicity: Employment Appeal Tribunal. Repealed
  119. 64Application to Crown etc.
  120. 64BOther police bodies
  121. 65Application to Parliament. Repealed
  122. 66Government appointments outside Part II. Repealed
  123. 67Regulations and orders.
  124. 68Interpretation.
  125. 69Financial provisions.
  126. 70Short title, commencement, extent etc.
  127. Schedule 1: Provisions Supplementing Section 1
  128. Impairment
  129. 1Paragraph 1
  130. Long-term effects
  131. 2Paragraph 2
  132. Severe disfigurement
  133. 3Paragraph 3
  134. Normal day-to-day activities
  135. 4Paragraph 4
  136. Substantial adverse effects
  137. 5Paragraph 5
  138. Effect of medical treatment
  139. 6Paragraph 6
  140. Persons deemed to be disabled
  141. 6AParagraph 6A
  142. 7Paragraph 7
  143. Progressive conditions
  144. 8Paragraph 8
  145. Interpretation
  146. 9Paragraph 9
  147. Schedule 2: Past Disabilities
  148. 1Paragraph 1
  149. 2Paragraph 2
  150. 3Paragraph 3
  151. 4Paragraph 4
  152. 5Paragraph 5
  153. 6Paragraph 6
  154. 7Paragraph 7
  155. 8Paragraph 8
  156. 9Paragraph 9
  157. 10Paragraph 10
  158. 11Paragraph 11
  159. 12Paragraph 12
  160. 13Paragraph 13
  161. Schedule 3: Sections 17A(8) and 25(6), 31ADA Enforcement and Procedure
  162. Part I: Employment
  163. Conciliation
  164. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  165. Restriction on proceedings for breach of Part II
  166. 2Paragraph 2
  167. Period within which proceedings must be brought
  168. 3Paragraph 3
  169. Evidence
  170. 4Paragraph 4
  171. Part II: Discrimination in Other Areas
  172. Restriction on proceedings for breach of Part III
  173. 5Paragraph 5
  174. Period within which proceedings must be brought
  175. 6Paragraph 6
  176. Staying or sisting proceedings on section 21B claim affecting criminal mattersStaying proceedings on section 21B claim affecting criminal matters
  177. Restriction of remedies for section 21B claim relating to criminal matters
  178. Compensation for injury to feelings
  179. 7Paragraph 7
  180. Evidence
  181. 8Paragraph 8
  182. Part 3: DISCRIMINATION IN SCHOOLS
  183. Restriction on proceedings for breach of Part 4, Chapter 2A
  184. Period within which proceedings must be brought
  185. Evidence
  186. Schedule 3A: VALIDITY OF CONTRACTS, COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS AND RULES OF UNDERTAKINGS
  187. Part I: validity and revision of contracts
  188. 1Paragraph 1
  189. 2Paragraph 2
  190. 3Paragraph 3
  191. Part II: collective agreements and rules of undertakings
  192. 4Paragraph 4
  193. 5Paragraph 5
  194. 6Paragraph 6
  195. 7Paragraph 7
  196. 8Paragraph 8
  197. 9Paragraph 9
  198. Part III: interpretation
  199. 10Paragraph 10
  200. 11Paragraph 11
  201. 12Paragraph 12
  202. Part 1: VALIDITY AND REVISION OF CONTRACTS
  203. Part 2: COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS AND RULES OF UNDERTAKINGS
  204. Schedule 4: Premises Occupied Under Leases
  205. Part I: Occupation by EMPLOYER etc
  206. Failure to obtain consent to alteration
  207. 1Paragraph 1
  208. Joining lessors in proceedings under section 17A . . .
  209. 2Paragraph 2
  210. Regulations
  211. 3Paragraph 3
  212. Sub-leases etc.
  213. 4Paragraph 4
  214. Part II: Occupation by persons subject to a duty under section 21, 21E or 21H
  215. Failure to obtain consent to alteration
  216. 5Paragraph 5
  217. Reference to court
  218. 6Paragraph 6
  219. Joining lessors in proceedings under section 25
  220. 7Paragraph 7
  221. Joining lessors in proceedings relating to group insurance or employment services
  222. Regulations
  223. 8Paragraph 8
  224. Sub-leases etc.
  225. 9Paragraph 9
  226. Failure to obtain consent to alteration
  227. Reference to court
  228. Joining lessors in proceedings under section 31ADA
  229. Part 1A: Modifications for England and Wales – Further Education Provided by Schools, etc
  230. Part 2: Modifications for Scotland – Further Education
  231. Part 2A: Modifications for Scotland – Recreational or Training Facilities
  232. Schedule 5: The National Disability Council
  233. Status
  234. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  235. Procedure
  236. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  237. Membership
  238. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  239. Term of office of members
  240. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  241. Remuneration
  242. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  243. Staff
  244. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  245. Supplementary regulation-making power
  246. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  247. Annual report
  248. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  249. Schedule 6: Consequential Amendments
  250. Employment and Training Act 1973 (c. 50)
  251. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  252. Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 (c. 44)
  253. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  254. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  255. Companies Act 1985 (c. 6)
  256. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  257. Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42)
  258. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  259. Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990 (c. 35)
  260. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  261. Schedule 7Repeals
  262. Schedule 8: Modifications of this Act in its application to Northern Ireland
  263. 1Paragraph 1
  264. 2Paragraph 2
  265. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  266. 4Paragraph 4
  267. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  268. 6Paragraph 6
  269. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  270. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  271. 9Paragraph 9
  272. 10Paragraph 10
  273. 11Paragraph 11
  274. 12Paragraph 12
  275. 13Paragraph 13
  276. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  277. 15Paragraph 15
  278. 16Paragraph 16
  279. 17Paragraph 17
  280. 18Paragraph 18
  281. 19Paragraph 19
  282. 20Paragraph 20
  283. 21Paragraph 21
  284. 21AParagraph 21A
  285. 22Paragraph 22
  286. 23Paragraph 23
  287. 24Paragraph 24
  288. 25Paragraph 25
  289. 26Paragraph 26
  290. 27Paragraph 27
  291. 28Paragraph 28
  292. 29Paragraph 29
  293. 30Paragraph 30
  294. 31Paragraph 31
  295. 32Paragraph 32
  296. 33Paragraph 33 Repealed
  297. 34Paragraph 34
  298. 35Paragraph 35
  299. 36Paragraph 36
  300. 37Paragraph 37
  301. 38Paragraph 38
  302. 39Paragraph 39
  303. 40Paragraph 40
  304. 41Paragraph 41
  305. 42Paragraph 42
  306. 43Paragraph 43
  307. 44Paragraph 44
  308. 45Paragraph 45
  309. 46Paragraph 46
  310. 47Paragraph 47
  311. 48Paragraph 48
  312. 49Paragraph 49
  313. 50Paragraph 50
  314. 51Paragraph 51
  315. 52Paragraph 52 Repealed
  316. 53Paragraph 53