SUSSEX POLICE LAUNCHES ITS DISABILITY EQUALITY SCHEME

The Disability Equality Duty, introduced today, is intended to have a major impact on the lives of disabled people.

The Disability Rights Commission, an independent body established to stop discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people, believes this new legislation will radically shift the way all public authorities deliver their services.

Over the past six months and with the help of the East Sussex Disability Association and many other disability groups right across Sussex,hundreds of disabled people have contributed to the scheme's three year action plan.

Chief Constable Joe Edwards said "I am delighted to introduce this, our first disability equality scheme. When you look at national figures,disabled people are more likely to be victims of crime than non-disabled people. By making the force even more accessible and responsive we can make sure everyone who comes into contact with Sussex Police,irrespective of where, how or why, receives a consistent, high quality service. Dr. Christine MacFie, head of the force's Health, Safety and Welfare Unit who has led much of the work said, "I want to publicly thank everyone who has contributed to the scheme. We will host a further disability equality conference in Spring 2007 to deliver our aim o fcreating an on-going external reference group which will bring along-term relationship, helping us develop services that meet the needsof disabled people".