Disability Equality Scheme and Action Plan 2007–2010

Catalyst Communities Housing Association

Catering for the needs of disabled people is vital to the business of social housing, as more disabled people live in this than any other type of housing. So it is important that social housing organisations take steps to ensure they provide for their disabled tenants and staff. The Disability Equality Duty (‘the Duty’) requires organisations to move away from the traditional view that disability is a problem of people having special needs, and to work towards ensuring an equal housing experience for disabled people.

Social model of disability

The Duty takes the approach of the social model of disability. It requires us to provide a housing experience that is equal for disabled people in all areas, not just those they traditionally use. The social model of disability states that disabled people face disadvantage not because of their impairments but because of the way society is organised. This includes failing to:

• make public services accessible
• remove barriers of assumption, stereotype and prejudice
• outlaw unfair treatment in our daily lives.

This approach, and so our Disability Equality Scheme, focuses on removing the barriers that disabled people face. It provides tools to try to prevent barriers being created and, if they exist, to break them down.

Further information

For more information about the Disability Equality Scheme and Action Plan please download our leaflet below.

 Disability Equality Scheme and Action Plan 2007–2010  (653 KB / 28 pages)