Talking the talk

Access to Work Scheme run by JobCentrePlus which can provide funding to meet the support or equipment costs of a disabled employee, whether new or existing.
Alternative format Providing information in a way that may be more accessible to some disabled people. Examples are large print, Braille, on CD or disk, in easy read format or on tape.
Anticipatory Duty Duty under the DDA Part 3 (Goods and services) and Part 4 (Education) for service/ education providers to anticipate the general needs of disabled people and make adjustments in advance of people accessing the service.
Assistive technology Specialist equipment and software that enables disabled people to work or study effectively. This might include a Braille laptop, specialist software to aid spelling and work organisation, speech to text facilities or a text phone.
Commission for Equality and Human Rights Public body that will supersede the three existing commissions on discrimination (Commission for Racial Equality, Equal Opportunities Commission, Disability Rights Commission). It will be established from 2007 and will also address discrimination on the grounds of age, sexual orientation and religious belief.
Competence standard A standard applied by a professional body that defines a particular skill or piece of knowledge which is a requirement for that profession.
Conciliation A way of resolving complaints with the help of a trained third-party mediator.
Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Legislation to protect disabled people from discrimination in employment, the provision of goods and services, education and transport.
Disability Employment Adviser A specialist adviser at Jobcentre Plus who supports disabled people to find employment and advises employers on meeting disabled employees’ needs. They can also provide information about employment schemes for disabled people and Access to Work funding.
Disability Equality Duty New duty on all public bodies to promote disability equality from December 2006. It will mean they have to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination and promote equal opportunities for disabled people. Specifically listed bodies, including education providers and education funding bodies must also produce a Disability Equality Scheme.
Disability Equality Scheme A Scheme which all listed public bodies will have to produce under the disability equality duty setting out how that public body will meet its equality duty.
Disability Officer

(or Named person in universities or colleges to advise equivalent) applicants and students about support available and ensure support is put in place.

   
Disability Rights Commission (DRC)

Public body responsible for promoting and enforcing the Disability Discrimination Act and the rights of disabled people as well as producing information and good practice about the legislation, offering a helpline for people and undertaking casework. It will become part of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights in 2007.

   
Disability Definition of A physical or mental impairment which has a long-term and substantial adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Fitness to practice The ability to practise a profession in a safe and effective way.
Further education Post-16 education that does not involve studying at degree level or higher. This includes NVQs, GNVQs, A Levels, GCSEs, BTEC National Diplomas, and basic skills courses.
Health and Safety Executive Public body responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Britain. It produces guidance about health and safety requirements at work and the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) Public body responsible for distributing public money for teaching and research to universities and colleges working in HE.
Higher education Post-16 education which leads to a qualification that is higher than A level.
Jobcentre Plus Public body based in all regions responsible for helping people find employment and advise on benefit issues. In some areas a fully integrated work and benefit service is offered.
learndirect Organisation that provides impartial advice on courses, careers, funding and childcare. Also operates a network of online learning centres in England, Wales and Northern Ireland providing access to a range of e-learning opportunities.
Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Public body responsible for planning and funding high-quality further education and training in England.
Medical model of disability A term that describes the medical diagnosis of a person’s impairment or condition which determines what people can and cannot do. It also details what the person will need in their lives in order to function adequately with this particular condition.
Mental impairment A term used in the DDA to cover a wide range of impairments relating to mental functioning, including learning disabilities and mental health difficulties.
Non-medical helper An assistant for a disabled person, who does not help with medical needs, such as sign language interpreters, note-takers, readers, etc
Physical impairment A term used in the DDA to cover any disabled person with an impairment which affects their physical capabilities such as wheelchair users, those with mobility difficulties, people with sensory impairments or medical conditions.
Placement provider A person who provides a work placement to a person whom he does not employ.
Professional or Trade A qualification that is an authorisation, qualification, recognition, registration, enrolment, approval or certification which is needed for, or facilitates engagement in, a particular profession or trade.
Qualification
Qualifications body An organisation that confers, renews extends or registers qualifications needed for a particular profession or trade.
Reasonable adjustment An adjustment made to ensure that a disabled person is not placed at a substantial disadvantage.
Social model of disability A term which describes a disability being caused by the societal and environmental barriers, constructed by society as a whole, which prevent disabled people from taking an equal part.
Special Educational Needs (SEN) A learning difficulty which calls for special educational provision (1996 Education Act).
Specialist college A college that only has provision specifically for disabled people, either for those with a specific impairment or for those with any impairment.
Trade Organisation An organisation of workers or of employers whose members carry on a particular profession or trade for the purposes of which the organisation exists.
Universities and Colleges The central organisation that processes
Admissions Service (UCAS) applications for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges.
Welfare benefit Any state benefit designed for people on a low income.
Work placement (DDA definition) A period of practical work experience undertaken for a limited period for the purposes of a person’s vocational training.
Work-based learning Any learning or training opportunity delivered mainly in the workplace, rather than in a college.