Disability equality statement

In accordance with the 2005 Disability Discrimination Act, publicly-funded secondary schools in England are required to publish a Disability Equality Statement by December 2006 (primary schools are expected to do so by December 2007). In Wales, all schools must do this by 1 April 2007.

The statement is described in part 3 of the Disability Equality Code. In outline, it must contain:

• An introduction by governors and the head

• A description of how disabled people have been involved in drawing it up

• An action plan

• An impact assessment and a description of how information will be gathered on the effects on employment and on education

• A description of how the information will be used to inform the next plan

• Arrangements for annual reporting

• An account of how, and by whom, the next version will be prepared (within three years)

• Arrangements for publishing the statement

For more discussion on the statement, see 'Ability to challenge'.