Disability Rights Commission Act 1999

Summary

3. The Act’s main purpose is to establish the Disability Rights Commission (DRC). The DRC is given general duties and powers, together with specific powers, enabling it to:

• work towards the elimination of discrimination against disabled people;

• promote the equalisation of opportunities for disabled people;

• take steps to encourage good practice in the treatment of disabled people;

• keep the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA 1995) under review;

• assist disabled people by offering information, advice and support in taking cases forward;

• provide information and advice to employers and service providers;

• undertake formal investigations;

• prepare statutory codes of practice providing practical guidance on how to comply with the law; and

• arrange independent conciliation between service providers and disabled people in the area of access to goods and services.