§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans his Department has to monitor the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in relation to indirect discrimination in the provision of goods and services. [7891]
§ Mr. BurtThe Disability Discrimination Act addresses indirect discrimination in two ways. First, the Act states that discrimination occurs when a service provider, for a reason which relates to a disabled person's disability, treats him less favourably than he treats or would treat others to whom that reason does not or would not apply, and that treatment cannot justified.
Secondly, the Act requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments to make their services more accessible to disabled customers.
356WThe Government will monitor the Disability Discrimination Act in order to assess its effectiveness in combating discrimination. The National Disability Council will also advise the Government on matters relevant to the elimination of discrimination and the operation of the Act.