Commentary on Sections Section 3: Duties of Public Authorities
55.This section amends the DDA by inserting a new Part 5A following section 49. The effect of this is to introduce into the DDA provisions which impose on public authorities duties relating to disabled people that are similar to those imposed by section 71 of the Race Relations Act 1976 (as substituted by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, section 2).
56.The new Part 5A is intended to ensure that bodies which exercise public functions “mainstream” disability rights issues when exercising those functions. This means, in broad terms, that public bodies, when making decisions, or when developing or implementing a new policy, must make consideration of the needs of disabled people an integral part of the policy-making or decision-making process with a view to eliminating discrimination and harassment and to improving opportunities for, and promoting positive attitudes towards, disabled people. In addition, when exercising functions, bodies must take account of the need to encourage disabled people to take part in public life.