FOI Request - Disability Policy of Moray Council

Request 101003789506

1. Has your authority adopted the social model of disability in its practices?

2. If yes to Q1, has this been formally adopted at a council meeting or similar?

3. Have your staff and councillors been trained in disability awareness, including the social model of disability?

4. Do your equality impact assessments include reference to the social model of disability and its implications for policy decisions?

5. Does your authority employ an access officer or similar (e.g. access design officer or disabilities officer) to provide advice to officials and others about access standards and design? If yes, please provide the specific job title.

6. Is your authority part of the Disability Confident scheme? If so, at what level - Committed, Employer, Leader?

Response 11-06-2025

1. Moray Council adopts the concepts set out within the social model of disability and commits to accessible services when required.

2. Moray Council has an Integrated Impact Assessment and guidance which is used internally to identify if there are any impacts on protected characteristic groups (including disability). This is used for any new (or revision to any existing) service, strategy, policy, plan, project, budget proposal affecting members of the public. Any negative impact identified in relation to any type of disability will lead to appropriate and relevant mitigations being considered  to reduce or eliminate the impact and any inequality or disadvantage.

3. Moray Council staff and Councillors are trained in the Equality Act which covers disability.  An eLearning module 'An Introduction to Equalities, Diversity, and Inclusion' is available to all Moray Council staff as a mandatory module which covers disability as a protected characteristics under the legislation.

4. Moray Council's current Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) process does not specifically refer to the Social Model of Disability. It currently refers to the protection in relation to disability as a protected group under the Equality Act 2010 and the public sector equality duty to:
Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other prohibited conduct.
Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not.
Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

5. Moray Council does not employ an officer specifically for this.  Individuals within Services are trained to ensure they are aware of their own Service specific requirements to enable accessible service delivery. Services can approach the Equal Opportunities Officer for advice and assistance with this.  The Council also consult with Moray Disability Forum and Aberdeenshire Disability Group (among others) in relation to accessibility requirements and audits.

6. Yes, Moray Council is a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2).