The Access Collaboration is very pleased to introduce our clients to a new partnership with two established and experienced Kent based companies
Kent Assessors
Assessment of students entering higher education, to establish the specific support requirements for DSA.
working with education to optimise opportunities for disabled students
DRC use Section 5 - Voluntary Binding Agreements to take forward the inclusion agenda
The DRC (Disability Rights Commission) have decided to explore one of their previously underused powers; the power to enter into voluntary binding (also known as Section 5) agreements.
These agreements commit people with duties under the Disability Discrimination Act to tackle disability discrimination detected by the DRC and to improve their services in specific areas.
In return, the commission agrees not to undertake enforcement action, such as a named-party formal investigation.
Section 5 agreements are voluntary yet binding contracts. The other party enters freely into the agreement, which then becomes compulsory, because it wants to:
- avoid enforcement action
- eliminate unlawful discrimination
- lead change in its sector with the help of the DRC.
So far, Section 5 agreements have arisen out of legal action by the DRC, often as part of a settlement endorsed by the courts. (In the Debenhams case for instance)
Developments following existing Section 5 agreements are encouraging and the DRC will be developing further work in this area.
(DRC Bulletin October 2006)
http://www.drc-gb.org/Newsroom/Email_Bulletin.aspx
