DDA is only as good as the people enforcing it

I have an educational disability, and your news analysis of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) highlighted a lot of the problems that I am experiencing (Personnel Today, 8 November).

The problem with disability discrimination apathy is not restricted to employers but to the bodies that are meant to provide help and protection.

For example, the two ticks disability symbol ą which is used in job ads to indicate that people with disabilities will be treated fairly ą is a standing joke due to the in-ability of advertisers to use the programme correctly.

I was told by government HR departments that my applications were not shortlisted because I filled out my application form incorrectly, therefore the two ticks symbol did not count. I am dyslexic and when I told them this, they said that it didnÍt matter what disability I had.

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The DDA is only as good as the people who want to enforce its aims. Until it is properly protected, it is only still a piece of paper.

Colin Arthur
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