Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA)

What are our Responsibilities to Court users?

The DDA says that it is unlawful to discriminate by:

• refusing to provide, or deliberately not provide to a disabled person any service which we provide or are prepared to provide to other members of the public
• make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for a disabled person to use our services
• fail to provide the same standard of service to a disabled person as to any other court user
• fail to provide our services on the same terms to a disabled person as to any other court user.
  Examples of adjustments

Since the introduction of the DDA, Her Majesty's Courts Service has been working to ensure that we meet our obligations and act within the sprit of the DDA. Some changes include:

• Improving access to courts and removing physical barriers. For example, removing steps, lowering counters.
• Providing Palanatypists and BSL interpreters for the Deaf
• A dedicated Disability helpline for customers
• Providing large print/Braille leaflets
• Loop systems in Courts
• Better signage for the visually impaired
• Improved parking facilities