Current legislation
There are various legal considerations when undertaking learning activities and considering access to museums. Below are some of the important acts covering these areas.
Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 makes it unlawful to discriminate against a disabled person in the provision of a job, services or property. This Act has been significantly extended by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. It now gives disabled people rights in the areas of employment, education and access to goods, facilities and services and transport services.
The 2005 Act requires all public bodies and service providers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to their premises or arrangements in order to accommodate disabled visitors and staff. This may include such elements as acquiring or modifying equipment or making adjustments to your premises which might otherwise be disadvantaged to the disabled people.
Failure to adhere to the conditions of this act may result in prosecution. There are circumstances under which you may be exempt from complying with all regulations.
The introduction of the Disability Equality Act 2006 places a general duty on all public authorities and service providers including museums and galleries to promote equality of opportunity between disabled people and others and to eliminate discrimination which is unlawful under the DDA.
For more details, visit the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.
Alternatively, we have produced various resources to help you understand and comply with the regulations. These can be found on the right hand side of this page.
Race Relations (Amendment) Act 1976/2000
The Race Relations Act 1976, as amended by the Race Relations (Amended) Act 2000, makes it unlawful to discriminate against anyone on grounds of race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), or ethnic or national origin.
The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 places a general duty on many public authorities to promote race equality in the areas of: employment, education, housing and provision of goods, facilities and services.
It also makes it unlawful for public bodies and services providers to discriminate while carrying out their functions
The amended Act imposes a general duty on all major bodies to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between people of different racial groups.
Children (Scotland) Act 1995
The act places a Duty of care on all those who work with children and young people
Section 5 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 states that an adult (over 16 years) who has care and control of a child under the age of 16 has the responsibility to 'do what is reasonable in all circumstances to safeguard the child's health, development and welfare'.
For further information contact Children in Scotland.